Perfect weaning recipes

This puree is rich in vitamins and calcium, and bursting with flavour

Plaice is an excellent fish to choose for young babies as it has a very soft texture. This recipe makes a good introduction to fish.

Suitable from 6 months
Suitable for freezing
Makes 4 portions

175g (6 oz) carrots, peeled and sliced
125g (4 oz) potatoes, peeled and chopped
175g (6 oz) plaice fillets
juice of one orange
60g (2 oz) grated mild Cheddar cheese
a knob of butter

Put the carrots and potatoes in a pan, cover with water and boil until soft. Alternatively, place them in a steamer and cook until tender.

Meanwhile, place the fish in a gratin dish, pour over the orange juice, scatter over the cheese and dot with butter. Cover, leaving an air vent, and microwave on high for three minutes or until the fish flakes easily. Alternatively, cover with foil and cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Flake the fish with a fork, checking for bones. Add the vegetables to the fish and its juices, then blend to a puree of the desired consistency.

Vegetable puree with tomato and cheese

It's important to make sure that as well as fruits, vegetables, carbohydrate and protein foods, babies get enough fat in their diet as this is crucial for growth and development

Babies and young children need proportionately more fat in their diet than adults. Recipes like vegetables in cheese sauce and fruit mixed with Greek yoghurt are very good for your baby.

TIP Carrots are more nutritious when cooked - unlike many other vegetables. Cooking breaks open the plant cells so antioxidants and other plant chemicals can be absorbed much better. Carrots contain large amounts of carotene - an antioxidant that gives it its orange colour.

From 6 months
Makes 6 portions
Suitable for freezing

200g/7 oz carrots, peeled and chopped
100g/3 ½ oz cauliflower, cut into small florets
a generous knob of butter
3 medium tomatoes (around 200g/7 oz), skinned, deseeded and roughly chopped 75g/3 oz Cheddar cheese, grated

Put the carrots into a saucepan and just cover with boiling water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook for 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, melt the knob of butter in a separate pan, then add the chopped tomatoes and saute them for about two minutes until slightly mushy. Stir in the grated cheese until melted, then blend the carrots and cauliflower together in a food processor with the cheese and tomato sauce.

For more on nutrition and feeding your baby and toddler visit www.annabelkarmel.com