Strawberry-Peach Apple Swirl (with Baby Cereal Boost!)
A sweet and tangy fruit purée featuring ripe strawberries, juicy peach, and sweet apple, gently thickened with baby cereal for added iron and a smooth texture, perfect for little ones exploring new flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe strawberries, hulled (green tops removed)
- 1 ripe peach or nectarine, peeled and sliced
- 1 small apple, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon baby rice cereal (or oatmeal cereal)
Instructions
Prepare the strawberries: Gently wash the strawberries under cool water. Remove the green tops (hulls) and slice them into smaller pieces.
Prepare the peach: Wash and peel the peach or nectarine. Slice it into small, manageable pieces for easy cooking.
Prepare the apple: Wash, peel, and dice the apple into small, even-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking.
Combine apple and peach: Place the diced apple and sliced peach in a small saucepan.
Add water: Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the saucepan with the apple and peach. This will help them steam and soften.
Simmer the fruits: Place the saucepan over low heat. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the apple and peach are softened.
Add strawberries: Add the sliced strawberries to the saucepan during the last minute of cooking. Strawberries cook quickly and only need to soften slightly.
Steam alternative: Alternatively, steam all the prepared fruits together for approximately 5 minutes, until soft.
Transfer to blender: Carefully transfer the cooked fruits and any remaining water from the saucepan into a blender or food processor.
Add baby cereal: Add 1 tablespoon of baby rice cereal (or oatmeal cereal) to the blender.
Blend until smooth: Blend the mixture until it is completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Check consistency: The cereal will absorb some of the fruit juice and thicken the purée. If it's too thick, add a little water or baby's milk to thin it out.
Cool and serve: Allow the purée to cool slightly before serving to your baby. Test the temperature to ensure it's not too hot.
Storage: Store any leftover purée in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Because this has cereal, you might want to serve it relatively soon after making, before it over-thickens.
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required for all steps.
- Ensure fruits are properly washed and prepared to avoid choking hazards.
- Check for any allergic reactions when introducing new foods, especially strawberries. Observe for any rash or discomfort.
- Test the temperature of the purée before serving to avoid burns.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 60 kcal per serving
Protein: 1g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 1g