I’m all about homemade baby food—it’s easy (especially when you use what you’re already cooking for yourself) and inexpensive, since you’re not buying jars. That’s why every recipe in my cookbook ends with a section called “Make Baby Food.” And why I’m speaking on the topic at a MommyBites luncheon on May 16. But surprise: Even though I prided myself on cooking nearly everything Harry ate in his early days, there were times when convenience trumped control. There were times when I turned to store-bought baby food.
I see that look on your face; you’re shocked. You think I’m some sort of fanatic about this stuff. Silly reader. I’m not a fanatic about anything—except that you should trust yourself to know what’s best for your own family.
If I had an infant today, I’d keep a stash of Plum Organics pouches on hand at all times. The company launched around the time Harry was born, with frozen purees. Since I kept jars on hand for their shelf-stability, I never tried Plum’s products. In 2009, when Harry was way past baby food, Plum introduced their fabulous pouches. My friends with babies swear by them—at the playground after school, I see all these little tots happily squeezing the food into their own mouths. How cool is that? So when Plum offered to hire me to create a family-friendly recipe using one of their purees, I said Yes, please!
My recipe, for slow cooker risotto, uses Plum Organics’ Spinach, Peas & Pear puree. It’s featured today on Plum’s new Little Foodies Cookbox on Facebook. They’ve got recipes from other food writers & bloggers, too—go check it out! I won’t be insulted if you leave me for a little while. As long as you come back. And you’re going to want to come back, because…
Plum Organics was kind enough to give me an assortment of their goodies for a giveaway. Entering to win is almost as easy as my risotto: Click over to Plum’s Little Foodies Cookbox and poke around, then come back and tell me which recipe intrigues you the most. (And no, you won’t get bonus entries if you choose mine!) If you “like” Plum Organics or Parents Need to Eat Too on Facebook, leave a separate comment saying so. And—what the heck—if you subscribe to Parents Need to Eat Too, via email or RSS, leave another comment saying that too. Leave all comment(s) by Friday, May 4, at 8PM Eastern time, when I’ll use random.org to choose a winner.
Slow Cooker Spinach, Peas & Pear Risotto, using Plum Organics baby food. How’s that for easy?
I like you on facebook! 🙂
And Plum Organics.
And I subscribe by email.
And I’m liking Strawberry-Apple Whole Wheat Cookies and Carrot Oat Cakes.
Wowzers, slow cooker risotto. I LOVE risotto but often the need for constant stirring prevents me from making it. Not being able to walk away when you hear a crash isn’t exactly toddler friendly- lol.
I’m super excited to try this!
Nicole, there’s a recipe on my blog (and in my book too) for butternut squash risotto in the slow cooker! And the cookbook also has a no-stir recipe that’s done in the oven. As long as you’re willing to give up a tiny bit of authenticity, you can make some very nice risottos with a baby around.
I ‘like’ you on Facebook.
I like you on FB
I ‘like’ Plum Organics on Facebook.
I like Plum Organics.
I subscribe via RSS and email.
And, honestly, your recipe is my favorite. It’s definitely the one I’m most likely to make.
I subscribe to you via email.
…and thanks for the great giveaway!
The carrot oat cakes sounds pretty yummy and perfect for a breakfast on the go.
I like Parents Need To Eat Too on FB
I like Plum Organics on FB
I subscribe to Parents Need to Eat Too via email.
Ok. The risotto sounds delicious. Those ingredients I mean come on, how could that not be good!?
Oh and thank you for introducing me to plum organics. I have a 3 month old and 3 yr old and I definitely see their products in my near future. Can’t wait to try your risotto!
You’re welcome, Ilse!
OMg, I want to try this! And win this 🙂
And of course I like you on FB!
And yes, I subscribe by email also! I’m in it to win it, baby!
I think the strawberry apple cookies sound great!
I like Plum Organics on Facebook.
I like “Parents Need to Eat Too” on Facebook as well!
and I subscribe on email too!
I would like to try the carrot oat cakes! Healthy breakfast on the go is what we need right now for my little ones! 🙂
I like Parents Need to Eat Too on FB!
I like Plum Organics on FB!
I subscribe to Parents need to eat too by email.
Your recipe looks awfully good!
I subscribe via rss
I really like the look of your recipe but also like “Strawberry & Apple Whole Wheat Cookies”.
Like you on Facebook
Subscribe to your emails. 🙂
And like Plum Organics on Facebook.
I like the risotto! I already heart your slow cooker butternut squash so this sounds just delish.
And I subscribe via RSS =)!
Strawberry apple cookies sound yum
Like you on FB
Email subscriber.
I wish we owned shares in Plum Organics–we buy this stuff by the carton through Amazon, and that spinach one is the go-to! I have to say I’d try the risotto for that reason alone.
Ah, liked on FB too.