Baby and toddler recipes

🌈 Batch cook rainbow veg freezer cubes

Three single-vegetable purées, orange, green and red, cooked in one session and frozen in cubes. Mix and match them through the week so baby tastes a wide range of vegetables with almost no daily effort.

From 6 monthsPrep 20 minCook 30 minFreezes wellNone of the 14 major allergens

Makes about 36 ice cube portions (three colours)

Ingredients

  • 3 large (about 300g) Carrot (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 head (about 300g) Broccoli (florets and peeled stalk)
  • 2 large Red pepper (deseeded and chopped)
  • 1 medium Sweet potato (peeled and diced, for the red cubes)
  • water from the steamer to loosen

Method

  1. Steam the carrots for 15 minutes until very soft, then blend smooth and spoon into an ice cube tray.
  2. Steam the broccoli for 7 to 8 minutes, blend with a little steaming water and fill a second tray.
  3. Simmer the red pepper and sweet potato together in a little water for 15 minutes, blend until smooth and push through a sieve to remove pepper skins. Fill a third tray.
  4. Cool the trays quickly, cover and freeze.
  5. Once solid, pop the cubes into labelled, dated freezer bags.

Serving it to your baby

Start with one cube of a single colour at a time, then combine two or three cubes for new flavours. From 7 months mash the defrosted cubes with a little grated cheese, lentils or flaked fish for texture and protein.

For the rest of the family

Defrosted cubes make an instant sauce base for family pasta: stir two or three into tomato sauce for hidden veg.

Storing and reheating

Cool within an hour, then freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost cubes in the fridge overnight in a covered bowl, or from frozen in a pan with a splash of water. Reheat until steaming, stir to remove hot spots, cool to warm. Never refreeze defrosted purée or reheat more than once.

Weaning with OBubba

Plan meals and log what your baby loved.

OBubba keeps a record of every food your baby has tried and spots the allergens for you, so you always know what is next. Free to download.

Download for iPhoneGet it on Android

Questions parents ask

How long do baby purée cubes last in the freezer?

Up to 3 months in a well-sealed bag or container. Label with the date and contents so you use the oldest first.

Can I defrost cubes in the microwave?

Yes, using the defrost setting, then heat until steaming all the way through. Stir well and check the temperature carefully, as microwaves leave hot spots.

OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).