Learn all about Broccoli
Broccoli is such a super food, highest in vitamin C that I wanted to find out ways that we can ALL eat it, including baby. Liberty is not eating food yet. I like to wait a year before feeding babies. Before that, they would start getting used to tastes and learning how to swallow food. But this introduction is not really for nutrition. After a year or so, the digestion system will be better developed and baby can digest almost any food. Many allergies to food are because babies are fed way too early.When can Baby eat Broccoli?
Anytime after a year. Broccoli is from the coniferous vegetable family which also means that it's hard for the stomach to break it down. That is why it should always be eaten lightly steamed. For baby, really soft and smashed or sauteed in olive oil
The Goodness of Broccoli for Babies
This year we are growing lots of broccoli in our garden so we will be cooking it a lot. Broccoli is very high in Vitamin C and is a great source of soluble fiber. This makes broccoli wonderful to add to baby food recipes. Soluble fiber is the fiber that helps loosen up the bowels as it changes its form as it passes through the digestive tract. An overabundance of soluble fiber in a diet may produce diarrhea. Insoluble fiber does not change its form or make up and simply helps to add bulk and too much of it may cause constipation.
BROCCOLI: (1 cup - steamed)
| VITAMINS: Vitamin A - 2415 iu Vitamin C - 101.2 mg Niacin - .86 mg Folate - 168 mcg Vitamin E - 2.26 mg Vitamin K - 220 mg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts. | MINERALS: Potassium - 457 mg Phosphorus - 105 mg Magnesium - 33 mg Calcium - 62 mg Sodium - 64 mg Selenium - 5.7 mg Iron - 5.5 mg Contains zinc, manganese and others |
Here are some great recipes for the whole family:
Broccoli Casserole
2 cups brown rice cooked
(If using brown rice, be sure to soak it in acidic water with starter for 24 hours. Basmati white rice would be my first choice after brown as it is lighter to digest and best than other white rice)
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cups shredded raw cheddar cheese, divided
2 pkgs. Organic Frozen broccoli (10 oz. each)
1 cup of yogurt
1 cup of heavy whipping cream or half and half
2 cups of homemade stock
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F degrees
Sauté onion, peppers, and celery in butter until tender. Combine rice, broccoli, sautéed vegetables, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and soups/substitutions. Transfer to a greased casserole dish.
Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Take off cover, top with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and bake about 5 minutes longer, until top is lightly browned and cheese is melted.
Baby's Creamy Broccoli Soup
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon marjoram or oregano
Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup heavy whipping cream or raw milk
Instructions:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and sauté until tender. Add broccoli, chicken stock, marjoram, and cayenne; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until broccoli is tender. Remove from heat and stir in milk. Purée in batches in a blender. Heat through to serve.
Cheesy Broccoli (or Cauliflower) Rice
1 stalk of broccoli
½ cup cooked brown rice
¼ shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
1. Wash broccoli under cool water.
2. Chop stems and florets into small pieces; using just the florets will many times yield a smoother puree. Steam until tender.
3. Mix the rice and broccoli together and return to the stove on low
4. Stir in the cheese until it has melted into the broccoli & rice
5. Puree or mash as needed
Broccoli & Carrots
1 stalk of broccoli
1 cup peeled and thinly diced carrots
1. Wash broccoli under cool water.
2. Chop broccoli stems and florets into small pieces (using just the florets will many times yield a smoother puree)
3. Add broccoli and carrots to a saucepan (2 inches of water) or steamer and steam until tender.
4. Mash or puree as needed. If the veggies are diced small enough, this will make a wonderful and colorful finger food medley.
Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Nuggets
1 16-oz Package frozen broccoli, cooked, drained, and chopped
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 ½ cups shredded raw cheddar cheese
3 Large eggs (given baby is over a year old). I would recommend that you substitute 5 egg yolks for the whole eggs if serving this to those under 1 yr.
Instructions:
Pre-Heat oven to 375
Lightly coat a baking sheet with butter and set aside.
Combine all remaining ingredients and mix well. *Add seasonings if you like - garlic powder, pepper, extra basil & oregano for example. Add a fruit or veggie puree to substitute for the eggs if desired.
Shape mixture into nuggets or fun shapes such as squares or squigglies etc..and place on baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turn nuggets over after 15 minutes.
Serve warm - Chop or mash these broccoli nuggets if your baby isn't able to handle bigger finger foods.
Broccoli Nuggets II
16 oz package of frozen broccoli (florets if possible.)
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups grated raw Cheddar cheese
5-6 tablespoons of water or milk
5 tablespoons of olive oil
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
shakes of spices as you desire,
1/4 diced and sauteed onions if you wish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375F
Thaw and drain broccoli (if using fresh, cleanse, cook then drain and chop)
Mix together remaining ingredients
Shape the mixture into nuggets, rolls or whatever takes your fancy.
Bake for 20-25 minutes on a lightly greased/oiled baking sheet.
Turn your broccoli-cheesies after 10 minutes of cooking time - these are done when golden and firm.
Serve warm - with a yogurt dip.
