Salmon baby food with potato and kale puree (potatoes Colcannon for baby) on the side.
More baby food? I know. But I'm on a roll in the kitchen, passion is flowing, and Camille is happy, too. Why make any changes?
Also: to be perfectly honest, we gave up sugar for Lent in this house, so baking is hard right now. I have to make everything on Saturday, save 2 bites for Sunday (we are soooo those Catholics that cheat on Sundays during Lent), and give the rest to the neighbors. So, I'm making lots of baby food these days.
So, every baby food book I've read suggests to start babes on white fish because it's mild-tasting. I just don't think I have one of those kids that thinks that is acceptable. If anything is going to get her to unlatch from the boob and eat something else, it better be something unique and exciting. Something like salmon baby food with potato puree.
The first time I give her a new food, her eyes light up and her left eyebrow pops up. She's like a little foodie, taking it all in. This past weekend, I made her applesauce that tastes like carrot cake using Michele's recipe, and she did this thing where she throws her arms out to the side and hula-dances, as to say 'more more gimme more more.' The kid loves to eat.
I've never followed any breast feeding advice and avoided cabbage, broccoli, spicy foods, or beans while nursing, so I can only imagine this kid has been getting wild flavors since birth. And furthermore, when she was in my belly 10 months ago (oh my god she's been on the outside as long as she was on the inside!), my diet was so varied. This is my only explanation as to why she loves food so much.
We also try to make meal time fun; we eat alongside her, and there is much clapping, 'yay-ing' and smiling. In Camille's mind, the kitchen table is a very happy place. She sees us savor food, talk about the flavors, and smile, so she does the same thing. All is fine until she insists on drinking out of a wine glass, too...
Moving on!
Luckily, I already spelled out for you in 500-too many words my thoughts and feelings on meat in my last baby food recipe for chicken and carrots. So, today, all I have for you is a recipe. This is also one of those recipes where Mama and Dad eat the same thing, right next to baby, except with a little salt and lemon juice sprinkled on top.
Salmon baby food recipe:
I took a big hunk of salmon, cut it into fillets, and brushed it with olive oil and herbs. Into the oven it went, low and slow. I baked the salmon at 350 for 15-18 minutes. I used to make really bad salmon by cranking the oven to 400 and over-cook it to the point of being dried out. We ate it, but it wasn't until I started making salmon for Camille did I realize that low and slow keeps it moist.
When the salmon is done, Mama and Dad's portions get a sprinkle of fleur de sel and a spritz of lemon juice, while baby does not. Easy peasy!
Salmon filets for mom and dad, and salmon baby food for baby!
Potato puree for baby:
So, potatoes Colcannon on the side. This is 100% not an authentic recipe for the Irish classic Colcannon. It does not have bacon, and worse: there are even times when I make it with cauliflower instead of potatoes. I know, I know.
If Kerrygold finds out, they may just fire me. But! I think this version of baby Colcannon is a pretty fantastic way to get some greens in your kiddo while eating what they already love: warm, starchy things.
So, the day that I made this, I made it with 1 potato. It yielded 5 servings of Colcannon for baby. I popped the leftovers into baby food trays and froze them. Side note: I freeze leftover salmon in chunks for her. One important thing, though: do not defrost/ reheat salmon in the microwave. I heat the potatoes on the stove in a small pan and add the salmon to that to reheat. This way, no one eats fish that smells like cat food. Deal?
Salmon baby food should be reheated gently, and never in the microwave.
I am having the BEST time taking your requests and sharing these baby food recipes! Keep the requests coming, friends! I've received requests for beef/ iron-rich recipes, and more dinners that baby and parents can eat side-by-side. I'm getting to work on those things now, and should share with you soon!
Baby Food: Salmon + Potatoes Colcannon
A delicious and healthy meal for little mouths.
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 1 4-ounce piece of wild salmon
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper
For the potatoes:
- 1 russet potato
- 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter, melted
- handful of fresh kale, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Rub the salmon with the olive oil, and sprinkle the parsley and black pepper on top.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until well-done, but not dried out.
- Meanwhile, boil the potato in plenty of boiling water until soft.
- Drain the potatoes.
- Wipe out the pan used for the potatoes, and add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the pan over medium heat.
- Saute the kale until wilted, about 4 minutes.
- Mash the potatoes, and stir in the remaining butter, sour cream, milk and kale.
- Flake the salmon into pieces for baby (or puree with water for younger babies), and serve with potato-kale puree.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 63Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 49mgCarbohydrates: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
Julie says
Please take this as the compliment it is intended to be. Your vegetable heave recipes are wonderful for my birds, gerbil and rat. They love them almost as much as I do. Julie
Christina Lane says
Hah! I want to feed allllll the babies, even pet babies :)
Roz says
Where can I find the vegetable heave recipes?
Christina Lane says
Hi Roz,
I'm not sure what you mean? I think 'heave' is a typo, but I can't quite figure out what you're referring to.
Sandra says
Don't feel bad , Sunday is not counted in the Lenten period. Sunday is a feast day not a fast day according to the RC church. Stock up on Sundays
Christina Lane says
Haha, thanks for the encouragement! :) <3
Candice says
Thanks for sharing this dish. Sounds perfect to give to my 14 month old. How old is Camille?
Christina Lane says
She's 10 months. She's been eating salmon since 8 months or so?
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
Lars just had salmon for the first time this weekend and he LOVED it! He hasn't had potatoes yet - I can't wait to see his eyes light up when he tries them for the first time. I love your idea of adding kale!
Christina Lane says
Ohhhh, Lars is going to LOVE potatoes! Actually, I thought Camille would go bonkers over them since they're warm and creamy, but to be honest, she prefers much punchier flavors. I made her polenta tonight, and I know she thought it was too bland. The minute I put a super spicy applesauce mixture in her mouth, THEN she was happy. The kid loves FLAVOR <3
Leigh Ann says
Love these posts! I have a five month old that I'm just getting started on solids! Did you start out basic and then add in spices etc? I feel like I'm way too excited about making baby food and don't want to advance before he's ready! Keep the recipes coming! :)
Christina Lane says
You sound just like me! I was so excited! I started out in this order: sweet potato (mixed with breastmilk), avocado, mashed banana. Then, I started with cooked fruit purees like apples and pears. After she had eaten apples 3-4 times, I added cinnamon the next time. After cinnamon, I used cardamom. I didn't want her to get bored with the same flavors all the time, but I also wanted her to taste the pure fruit first. Does that make sense?
Anyway, Leigh Ann! Get ready! It's a fun ride :)
Alanna Kellogg says
No babies here but I’m still loving your thinking and recipes! xo
Amy says
Great idea to use colcannon as baby food. To reduce the risk of bones, use the tail section of the fish for baby, it doesn't usually have bones.
Megan @ MegGoesNomNom says
My little guy is a few months younger than your sweetie. We just started solids a few weeks ago and are still on single food solids but I am pumped to try out your baby food recipes as soon as we expand our repertoire a bit! I LOVE the idea of recipes that both parents and baby can enjoy together like this (with a tiny tweak like adding the S & L for mom and dad). Please keep these coming - I'm all ears and eyes and taste buds. :)
Christina Lane says
So glad to hear it, Megan! Thanks :)
joanna says
I'm glad i'm not the only mom that didn't follow those nursing rules. Our little man eats just about anything and everything, the more garlic and spices the more he likes it! I know so many babies/toddlers that won't touch anything but bland fish fingers and dry pasta, not our little one. I've been giving him salmon since he had purees, he's not a fan of white fish, not even whole roasted sea bass. Try some trout, less farmed and cheaper.. well at least really cheap in the uk. I've been changing my site design and flow and will be adding some baby things when i finally get some free time to relaunch and start from scratch again.
-butterfryme
Christina Lane says
It sounds like you're doing such a great job! :)
FARAH says
It is really nice
Mahmoud
UJ