As your little one grows, so does their culinary curiosity! Between 6 and 8 months, it's time to gently nudge their taste buds with exciting new combinations and introduce slightly more texture. This stage is all about expanding horizons and laying the groundwork for more adventurous eating.

This is where the magic of homemade truly unfolds, allowing you to tailor meals perfectly for your growing baby:

✅ Flavor Adventures: Combining familiar tastes with new ones (think sweet potato and chicken!) encourages palate development and reduces the likelihood of picky eating down the road.

✅ Texture Exploration: Moving beyond completely smooth purees to thicker blends with soft lumps helps your baby learn to manage different consistencies and practice chewing (even with those adorable gummy smiles!).

✅ Nutrient Boost: Introducing protein-rich ingredients like lentils and poultry becomes vital for supporting rapid growth and muscle development. Healthy fats from avocado and olive oil are also crucial for brain development.

Homemade puts you in control of this exciting transition. You choose the freshest ingredients and can adjust textures precisely to match your baby's readiness. 

Inside this guide, you’ll discover:

🥕 8 delicious combination purees (designed for flavor and nutrition)

🥣 Tips for safely introducing thicker textures and soft lumps

🍗 Ideas for incorporating protein-rich foods

✨ Guidance on introducing healthy fats

These months are a fantastic opportunity to nurture your baby's relationship with food. Let's explore these new tastes and textures together, safely and deliciously!

 

1. Sweet Potato & Chicken Puree

Ingredients:

• ½ small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• ¼ cup cooked chicken, shredded or finely diced
• 1-2 tsp cooking liquid (from steaming sweet potato or chicken broth with no added salt) or breastmilk/formula
• ½ tsp olive oil (optional, for added healthy fats)

Instructions:

1. Steam the sweet potato in your food maker until very tender (about 15 minutes).
2. If using raw chicken, steam or gently boil until cooked through, then shred or finely dice. If using pre-cooked chicken, ensure it's finely shredded.
3. Combine the cooked sweet potato and chicken in the food maker.
4. Use the pulse mode to create a thicker puree with some soft lumps. Add cooking liquid or breastmilk/formula gradually to reach your desired consistency.
5. Stir in olive oil (if using) once blended. Ensure it's well incorporated.

Tip: Chicken introduces essential protein. The sweetness of the sweet potato makes it more palatable. Ensure the chicken is very finely processed to avoid choking hazards.

 

2. Pea & Mint Mash

Ingredients:

• ½ cup frozen peas
• 1-2 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp breastmilk or formula
• A tiny drizzle of olive oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Steam the frozen peas in your food maker until they are tender (about 5-7 minutes).
2. Finely chop the fresh mint leaves.
3. Combine the steamed peas and chopped mint in the food maker.
4. Use the pulse mode to create a slightly chunky mash. Add breastmilk or formula to adjust the consistency.
5. Stir in a tiny drizzle of olive oil (if using) for added healthy fats.

Tip: Mint introduces a new flavor profile. Ensure the mint is very finely chopped. Peas are a good source of vitamins and fiber.

 

3. Banana-Oat "Pancakes" (Mashed)

Ingredients:

• ¼ ripe banana, mashed
• 1 tbsp finely ground rolled oats (oat flour)
• 1-2 tsp breastmilk or formula

Instructions:

1. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl until smooth.
2. Stir in the finely ground rolled oats.
3. Add breastmilk or formula gradually until you have a thick, batter-like consistency.
4. Lightly grease a small, non-stick pan or use the steaming basket of your food maker.
5. For a pan: Drop small spoonfuls of the mixture onto the warm pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until lightly golden and cooked through. Mash well before serving.
6. For steaming: Place small spoonfuls of the mixture in the steaming basket and steam until cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Mash well before serving.

Tip: These "pancakes" offer a different texture and introduce oats. Ensure they are thoroughly cooked and mashed into a safe consistency for your baby.

 

4. Lentil & Carrot Mash

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup red lentils, rinsed
• ½ small carrot, peeled and diced
• ½ cup vegetable broth (no added salt) or water
• A tiny pinch of cumin (optional, for flavor)

Instructions:

1. Steam the diced carrot in your food maker until tender (about 10-12 minutes).
2. While the carrot is steaming, cook the rinsed red lentils in the vegetable broth or water until they are very soft and have absorbed most of the liquid (about 15-20 minutes). You can do this on the stovetop or in a separate steamer if your food maker allows.
3. Combine the cooked lentils and steamed carrot in the food maker.
4. Use the pulse mode to create a thick, slightly textured mash. Add a little of the cooking liquid if needed for consistency.
5. Stir in a tiny pinch of cumin (if using).

Tip: Lentils are a great source of protein and iron. Cumin adds a subtle, warm flavor.

 

5. Avocado & Tofu Mash

Ingredients:

• ¼ ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 tbsp silken tofu, drained and mashed
• A tiny squeeze of lime or lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and mash it with a fork.
2. In a separate bowl, mash the silken tofu until smooth.
3. Combine the mashed avocado and tofu.
4. Stir in a tiny squeeze of lime or lemon juice (if using). No cooking is required for this recipe.

Tip: This is a great no-cook option that provides healthy fats and protein. Ensure the tofu is smooth and lump-free.

 

6. Chicken & Broccoli with a Hint of Rosemary

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup cooked chicken, finely shredded
• ¼ cup broccoli florets
• 1 tsp cooking liquid (from steaming broccoli or chicken broth with no added salt)
• A tiny pinch of dried rosemary (optional)

Instructions:

1. Steam the broccoli florets in your food maker until tender (about 8-10 minutes).
2. Combine the cooked chicken and steamed broccoli in the food maker.
3. Use the pulse mode to create a thicker puree with some soft pieces. Add cooking liquid to adjust consistency.
4. Stir in a tiny pinch of dried rosemary (if using), ensuring it's well distributed.

Tip: Rosemary adds a subtle savory note. Ensure both chicken and broccoli are very tender and any pieces are small to prevent choking.

 

7. Pear & Spinach Puree

Ingredients:

• ½ small ripe pear, peeled, cored, and diced
• ¼ cup fresh spinach leaves, washed well
• 1 tsp water or breastmilk/formula

Instructions:

1. Steam the diced pear in your food maker until soft (about 8-10 minutes).
2. Add the spinach leaves to the steaming basket during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking the pear, until the spinach is wilted.
3. Combine the steamed pear and spinach in the food maker.
4. Blend until smooth with the regular mode, then switch to pulse mode for a slightly thicker texture if desired. Add water or breastmilk/formula to reach the desired consistency.

Tip: Spinach adds iron and other nutrients. The sweetness of the pear helps balance the flavor.

 

8. Beef & Sweet Potato with a Hint of Thyme

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup cooked beef, very finely minced or shredded (ensure it's lean and tender)
• ½ small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1-2 tsp cooking liquid (from steaming sweet potato or beef broth with no added salt)
• A tiny pinch of dried thyme (optional)

Instructions:

1. Steam the sweet potato in your food maker until very tender (about 15 minutes).
2. Ensure the cooked beef is very finely minced or shredded. You can achieve this by finely chopping cooked beef or using the food maker's blending function briefly on pulse mode after cooking.
3. Combine the cooked sweet potato and minced beef in the food maker.
4. Use the pulse mode to create a thicker puree with some soft, tiny pieces of beef. Add cooking liquid to reach your desired consistency.
5. Stir in a tiny pinch of dried thyme (if using), ensuring it's well distributed.

Tip: Beef is an excellent source of iron and protein. ¹ Thyme adds a subtle, savory flavor. It's crucial to ensure the beef is extremely finely processed to prevent any choking hazard at this stage

 

Remember to always supervise your baby during feeding and ensure the texture is appropriate for their developmental stage.

Introduce new ingredients one at a time, waiting a few days to watch for any reactions. Enjoy this exciting phase of introducing new tastes and textures!

Read more tips for making homemade food for your baby here.

Enjoy this journey of introducing new tastes!