There's nothing like the flavors of tropical fruits to get babies excited about fresh fruit purees. From mango to pineapple to papaya, they're packed with vitamins and minerals for growing bodies, and they are perfect when little ones are just being introduced to new flavors and textures!
Mango Banana Puree
When you've got one soft, ripe mango, one banana, and one hungry baby, that's a perfect combination! Smooth and creamy, this Mango Banana Puree is an ideal first food for any little one. Your baby will be getting more than her fair share of vitamins A, C, and B6, dietary fiber, potassium, and more. With all these exciting facts, you don't need to be on the National Mango Board to know this puree will be a real winner!Mango Banana Puree
(Makes 8 baby food servings)
- 1 mango, cut into chunks
- 1 banana
1. Place the mango and banana chunks in to a food processor.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Serve.
Tropical Smoothie
Smoothies are a great way to get kids to eat fruit and yogurt without having to twist their arms. Papayas and pineapples are both high in vitamin C as well as containing enzymes that help break down protein in the body, thereby aiding digestion.
Tropical Smoothie
(Makes 8 baby or 4 toddler servings)
- 1 cup pineapple, chopped
- 1 cup papaya, chopped
- 1/4 cup whole milk yogurt
1. Place the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree
until smooth.
2. Serve in a glass, bowl or sippy cup
Kiwi and Peach Puree
Kiwis have more vitamin C then any other fruit. It actually has almost twice the amount as an orange. To help increase the absorption of iron, which is important for brain development, feed your baby a vitamin C food, such as kiwis, at the same time you feed them egg yolks or cereals, which are high in iron.
Not only are kiwis delicious, they're beautiful to look at. This puree has a gorgeous color and thick body from the addition of the peaches.
Kiwi and Peach Puree
(10 baby servings)
- 2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
- 1 fresh peach, chopped or 1 cup frozen, defrosted or cooked for four minutes in a steamer pot over boiling water
1. Place both ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Serve.
*Place leftovers in an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.
Avocado and Cherimoya Mousse
Yummy, delicious, creamy, and nutritious—all the words I think of when describing this dish. To me, a cherimoya tastes like banana crossed with strawberries and pineapple. Packed with vitamin B6 and potassium, this is a fruit every baby should have the opportunity to try.
Avocado and Cherimoya Mousse
(Makes 10 baby servings)
1. Wash both fruits.
2. Halve the avocado, remove the pit and scoop the light green flesh into a food processor.
3. Halve the cherimoya and remove the big black seeds. Scoop white flesh into a food processor.
4. Puree until smooth and serve.
Tropical Coconut Smoothie
Not only are smoothies nutritious and fun for kids of almost any age to help prepare with you, they're also a great use of any fruit you have laying around that may be overripe and otherwise going to waste.
In these economically tough times, going on vacation may be hard, but whipping up a batch of these creamy smoothies can bring the vacation to you!
Tropical Coconut Smoothie
(Makes 3 to 4 servings)
- 1 cup coconut milk (regular or low fat)
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt (I use Greek yogurt)
- 1 banana
- 1 cup pineapple, cubed
- 2 tablespoon agave or honey*
- Hand full of ice
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Serve.
*Note: Do not add honey for children 12 months and under
