Given the state of the economy and the growing understanding of the health benefits of organic baby food, more people are choosing to make their own baby food at home. The process of making pear baby food is one of the easiest. You could essentially have a pear puree ready for your baby in the matter of minutes in the right circumstances.
Fruit Selection
A pear makes for an easy introduction to fruits. They are mild water-based fruits which are incredibly easy for babies to digest. Pears are rich in fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. If your baby becomes constipated, you should use pear puree for their next feeding as it is an excellent laxative. Babies are typically safe to begin eating pears around four months old; however, some babies should not begin until a bit closer to six or eight months old. You should always speak with your doctor prior to introducing new foods into the diet of your baby.
It is important to note that choosing a ripe pear is essential in this process. Pears do not actually ripen on the vine. You should select a pear which is free of bruises and blemishes. If you have a firm unripened pear, you should leave it on the counter for a few days until it is soft and juicy. Once the pear is ripe, the process may only take a few minutes. You have to make a decision at this point. It is not necessary to bake or steam pears to serve to babies. The steaming process will make the puree more gentle on the stomach of your baby; however, generally speaking, pears are quite easy to digest and easy on a baby’s stomach.
Baking and Preparation
You do not actually have to bake a pear to make baby food. You should steam them instead. You should wash them and then remove the skins. If you are not using organic pears, clean them in one part vinegar and three parts water to ensure you remove all bacteria and pesticides. While you are preparing the pears, you should begin boiling a small amount of water in a pot and add a steamer basket. If you do not have a steamer basket, simply create a double boiler to ensure the pears are not resting in the water to preserve as many nutrients as possible. To peel the pears, do so with a vegetable peeler or knife. Cut the pears in half lengthwise. You will then use a melon baller or a spoon to remove the core, as well as the stem. Now, cut the pears into bite-sized pieces and place them in the basket and cover with a lid for three or four minutes once the water is boiling and steaming.
Now that the pears are ready, place them in a bowl to use with an immersion blender, food processor, or blender and mix until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. If you choose not to steam the pears, simply follow the same steps only rather than adding to the steamer basket, proceed immediately to pureeing the mixture. If you are serving the pear puree to a baby of 10 months or older, you do not need to worry too much about a perfectly smooth puree.
Storing and Serving
If you intend to use the pear puree within three or four days, it is perfectly acceptable to keep the puree in the fridge during that time. You might consider sterilizing a glass jar you have recycled from another food item to use as a storage container. If you plan to make a large batch to ensure you always have pear puree in stock, pour the puree into ice cube trays. Once frozen, remove and place into a resealable freezer-friendly container for easy access and as a way to prevent freezer burn. To thaw, simply place a few cubes in a dish and set it in the fridge overnight.
Making baby food is an easy way to express your love. It will only take a few minutes and it will save you money. Once you begin making pear puree, you might consider trying another fruit or a vegetable in the near future.
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