Baby and toddler recipes

🥦 Broccoli and pear green first purée

A bright green purée that pairs broccoli with a little ripe pear, helping baby get used to green vegetable flavours early. Broccoli brings vitamin C and folate, and a touch of fruit softens its bitterness.

From 6 monthsPrep 5 minCook 10 minFreezes wellNone of the 14 major allergens

Makes about 6 ice cube portions

Ingredients

  • 1 small head (about 150g) Broccoli (cut into florets, stalk peeled and sliced)
  • 1 ripe pear Pear (peeled, cored and chopped)
  • 2 to 3 tbsp water from the steaming pan

Method

  1. Steam the broccoli florets and stalk for 6 minutes.
  2. Add the pear to the steamer and cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes until everything is very soft.
  3. Blend until completely smooth, adding a little steaming water to loosen.
  4. Cool to warm and serve a few spoonfuls.

Serving it to your baby

Once baby happily takes the green version, reduce the pear each time until you are serving plain broccoli purée. Keeping some veg on its own helps baby accept bitter flavours. From 7 months, mash rather than blend.

For the rest of the family

Steam a bigger head of broccoli and serve the family's florets whole with lemon and olive oil.

Storing and reheating

Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir, then cool to warm before serving. Never reheat more than once.

Weaning with OBubba

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Questions parents ask

Why add fruit to a vegetable purée?

A little fruit can make a new bitter vegetable feel more familiar. It works best as a stepping stone; aim to offer plain vegetables regularly too, as repeated tastes are what build acceptance.

My baby pulled a face at broccoli. Should I stop?

Not at all. Faces are normal with new flavours and are not a sign of dislike. Keep offering small amounts on different days; many babies need 8 to 10 tries before they accept a taste.

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).