Sweet potatoes – the powerhouse root vegetable that is known to have exceptional nutritional benefits for adults, is also a great food to feed to babies. While mashing and serving boiled sweet potatoes is the easiest way to introduce food to new-borns, adding some kind of mellow sweet or savoury flavour that enhances its taste, is a great way to make baby food taste delicious. The fibre, vitamin and mineral packed root is also excellent as a complex carbohydrate resource that is gut-friendly and filling. Here are six ways to make them baby-friendly but delicious.
Sweet Potato Mash
Image Credits: Kitchn
Steam or boil a sweet potato until soft and mash with a fork or potato ricer until you achieve a smooth consistency. Add a chicken stock or vegetable stock to adjust the texture for your baby's preference and season with a tiny pinch of pepper. Boil a few extra sweet potatoes and stash them away in an air-tight freezer bag for the entirety of the week.
Sweet Potato-Banana Mash
Mash a ripe banana and cooked sweet potato together before adding a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavour. Swap with cardamom or saffron milk and boiled apples for better consistency. This mash is the perfect solid food for your babies to enjoy for breakfast or for a light evening snack.
Sweet Potato-Spinach Soup
Image Credits: My Favorite Pastime
Blanch the spinach and boil a sweet potato until soft. Add to a blender jar along with vegetable stock, salt and a touch of garam masala for aroma. Blend to a thick soup and serve warm. You could also shape the sweet potatoes and spinach into a mashed consistency of croquettes and bake them in an oven for a more solid meal.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Cut a sweet potato into thin strips and toss in a small amount of olive oil before baking in the oven until crispy and tender. Be sure to cut them into baby-friendly sizes and sprinkle some fresh herbs and salt, to add colour and flavour. Serve along with boiled carrots or pasta and cut fruit on the side.
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Image Credits: Yummy Toddler Food
Mix mashed sweet potatoes with a little flour, egg, vanilla and milk to create a pancake batter. Ladle small, baby-sized pancakes on a griddle until they are cooked through on both sides. Cut into small pieces and serve with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and sliced fresh fruit.
Sweet Potato Porridge
Combine boiled sweet potato, milk and a small amount of ragi flour in a saucepan and cook with some maple syrup, vanilla extract and chopped up dry fruits like dates or raisins for a nutritious porridge. Add freshly sliced bananas, seasonal fruit, kiwi, chikoo or berries for some colour and flavour. Serve warm for a comforting supper or breakfast for your babies.