Green Bean Baby Bliss

Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans: If using fresh green beans, rinse them thoroughly under cool water. Trim off the ends and chop them into small, manageable pieces (about 1/2 inch). If using frozen green beans, measure out 1 cup.

Step 2: Choose Your Cooking Method: You can either steam or boil the green beans. Steaming retains more nutrients, but boiling is also acceptable.

Step 3: Steam the Green Beans (Option 1): Fill a saucepan with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steamer basket inside the saucepan, ensuring the water doesn't touch the bottom of the basket. Add the green beans to the steamer basket.

Step 4: Boil the Green Beans (Option 2): Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the green beans. Bring the water to a boil. Add the green beans to the boiling water.

Step 5: Cook the Green Beans: Cover the saucepan and steam (or boil) the green beans for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until they are very tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.

Step 6: Drain the Green Beans: Once the green beans are cooked, carefully drain them in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of the cooking water.

Step 7: Purée the Green Beans: Transfer the cooked green beans to a blender or food processor.

Step 8: Add Liquid: Add 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved cooking water (or fresh water) to the blender. This will help to create a smooth purée. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed to reach the desired consistency.

Step 9: Blend Until Smooth: Blend the green beans until they are completely smooth. This may take a minute or two, depending on your blender. For a very young baby (6-8 months), you may want to strain the purée through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any stringy fibers.

Step 10: Check the Consistency: The purée should be smooth and easily spoonable. If it's too thick, add more water (or breast milk/formula) a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 11: Cool and Serve: Allow the green bean purée to cool slightly before serving to your baby.

Step 12: Taste Test (Optional): Before feeding your baby, always taste a small amount of the purée to ensure it's not too hot.

Step 13: Store Leftovers: Store any leftover green bean purée in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen in small portions for longer storage (up to 2 months).

Step 14: Reheat (If Necessary): Reheat refrigerated or frozen purée thoroughly before serving. Ensure it is not too hot before feeding to your baby.

Calories: 25 kcal per serving

Protein: 1g

Carbs: 5g

Fat: 0g