Apple and beetroot puree

Summary

Prep: 5 mins
Cooking: 15 mins
Ages: Babies 6m+
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Makes: 1 bowl puree + finger food

When can babies eat beetroot?

Babies can have beetroot as one of their first foods (from 6 months old) if they like it. However beetroot is a bit heavier to digest for babies than other fruits and vegetables so some doctors advise to wait until 8 months before introducing it. You can see how your baby is doing with their solids and decide when you feel is best for them.

Small warning: bear in mind that baby’s poo might be a little red the day after eating beetroot. This can be a bit of a shock, (especially if you’ve forgotten that they ate beetroot yesterday) so we wanted to say don’t panic if you see red in their nappy just after eating beetroot!

How to prepare beetroot puree for baby?

Beetroot needs to be steamed or boiled until soft, usually 15 minutes. So you peel and chop the beetroot and apple into pieces. You then steam or boil them for 15 minutes. Drain and whizz them up in a blender with a bit of water.

If you would like to add some finger food alongside your beetroot puree dish then take off a few pieces of the steamed beetroot and apple and offer it to baby on their tray. They can play with it and try to lift it with their hands. When they are ready, they will naturally begin to explore solid foods.

Which apples should we use?

Beetroots have a stronger taste than most fruit and veg, so we’ve combined it with a Pink Lady apple. Pink Ladies are naturally sweet and  they are rich in antioxidants and flavanoids that will boost your baby’s immune system.

Ingredients

• ¼ beetroot
• 1 pink lady apple
• Water

Instructions

1. Peel the apple and chop it into thick long batons.
2. Chop a beetroot into quarters. Chop one quarter of a beetroot into cubes.
3. Steam the apple and beetroot for about 15 minutes, or until soft.
4. If you would like to offer some finger food alongside the beetroot puree then put aside a few pieces of soft cooked apple and beetroot.
5. Place the rest in the blender with a little water. Puree until smooth.
6. Add more water if necessary to thin to the consistency you desire.

Apple and beetroot puree – step by step guide:

Peel and chop the apples into thick batons.

Cut a beetroot into quarters and peel and chop one quarter.

Steam the pieces of apple and beetroot for 15 minutes (or until quite soft)

If you want to offer baby finger food then put some cooked apple pieces to one side.

Tip your steamed apple and beetroot into a blender.

Reserve a third of the steamed apple to offer to your baby for baby-led weaning.

Blend until you have a thick and creamy puree.

You can add more water bit by bit to thin it to the consistency you like.

And you have a great, colourful puree for baby with steamed apple pieces for finger food.

Enjoy this apple and beetroot puree