“Eat your peas,” I must have heard my mother say a zillion times as a kid. I didn’t like peas then and I don’t particularly care for them now. This is unfortunate because peas pack an impressive nutritional punch. They are a great source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin A, Folate, and fiber, to name a few nutrients. As an added bonus, many babies love their sweet taste and soft texture.
Below you will find easy ways to prepare peas for your little one. Keep in mind that plain pureed peas can be added to any number of foods for a variety of tastes.
Keema Matar
This Indian-style dish offers plenty of flavor and nutrients with none of the spice associated with traditional Keema Matar.
Ingredients
4 ounces cooked lamb, cubed*
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas, steamed
Dash of garlic powder
Dash of onion powder
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender and puree to desired consistency. Add water, breastmilk, or formula as needed to thin the puree.
*If lamb is not a staple in your family’s diet, you could use beef instead.
Cheesy Peasy Rice
Pediatricians usually give the okay on dairy foods for older babies (8 or 9 months of age) with no history of allergies. If your baby can’t eat dairy yet, simply omit the cottage cheese from this recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas, steamed
1/2 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Dash of onion powder
Dash of black pepper
Directions
Add peas, rice, onion powder, and black pepper to blender and puree to desired consistency. If puree is hot, allow to cool before mixing in cottage cheese, either by hand or in the blender.
Peachy Peas
Surprisingly, peaches work well with the mild flavor of green peas for a sweet but nutritional treat.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas, steamed
2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and diced
Dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender and puree to desired consistency. Add water, breastmilk, or formula as needed to thin the puree.
Savory Peas
This simple recipe adds a little extra flavor to ordinary peas.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas, steamed
1/4 cup chopped leeks
Dash of black pepper
Directions
Cook the peas and the leeks together in a steamer basket or by simmering in a few tablespoons of water. Add all ingredients to blender and puree to desired consistency. Add water, breastmilk, or formula as needed to thin the puree.
Garden Variety Dinner
With a bit of chicken for protein, this puree combines a variety of vegetables for a big dose of nutrition.
Ingredients
1/4 cup fresh or frozen green peas, steamed
1/4 cup diced fresh or frozen carrots, steamed
4 asparagus spears, steamed
1/4 cup chopped fresh or frozen cauliflower, steamed
1 small red potato, cooked and cubed
6 ounces of chicken, cooked and cubed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Dash of black pepper
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender and puree to desired consistency. Add water, breastmilk, or formula as needed to thin the puree.
