Week 22: Corn and Mangoes
Corn
Corn For Your Baby
Fresh corn is really best in season, which is in the summer. If it is really fresh, you can just cut it off the stem and enjoy! Your baby will love its sweet taste and get good practice with his pincer grasp attempting to pick it up. Of course, frozen corn will work for the rest of the year, and it is still delicious. Another way to serve your baby corn is by making grits. Grits are ground up form of corn that are ubiquitous in the Southern United States, and are particularly good mixed with butter or scrambled eggs (for the adults until your baby turns 1 year old).
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When is baby ready?
8 months old
How to buy
Buy fresh corn in season, or buy frozen corn kernels. The best way to tell if the corn is any good is to peel it and look at the kernels. Stores don't want you to do this - so just peek at the kernels you can see. They should be light in color and tightly packed.
Homemade Baby Food Recipe
Fresh corn can be prepared in the microwave still in its husks. Alternatively, you can shuck the corn (remove husks and silk) and steam on the stove or in the microwave.
Microwave methods
- Pull back husks from corn, leaving husks attached at base of cob; remove silks. Rinse corn and pat dry. Pull husks up over corn. Rinse corn in husks. Place in microwave and cook for 8 minutes. Test to see if heated through. If corn is hot it is done.
- Shuck corn and place in microwave safe dish with a few tablespoons of water. Microwave for 5 minutes and test if corn is hot.
Stove method
- Shuck corn and remove silk.
- Place corn in pot with 2 inches of water. Cover and cook over high heat until corn is hot.
To Store
Corn will keep in the refrigerator for a long time if it has its husk. It will lose its sweetness over time so try to use it within a week.
Are there baby food jars?
Yes, you will see it mixed with other foods.
Should I buy organic?
No. It was found by the USDA to contain very little pesticide residue.
Adult Recipe
See cooking methods for baby and eat plain or try corn and black bean salad below.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
1 bag frozen corn or 2 or 3 ears corn shucked and kernels sliced off
1 15 oz cans black beans
1 avocado, diced
juice of one lime
1/4 cup of finely diced red onion (optional)
Drain black beans well and add corn into a medium sized bowl. Dice avocados and add to mixture. Cut lime in half and squeeze on top of avocados. Add onion and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Mangoes
Mangoes For Your Baby
The fruit flesh of a ripe mango is very sweet, with a unique taste. The texture and color of the flesh varies markedly between different varieties; some have quite a soft and pulpy texture similar to an over-ripe plum, while others have a firmer flesh much like that of a cantaloupe or avocado. If you can find mango pieces frozen, then you can serve a nice frozen treat.
Recommended products for your baby:
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When is baby ready?
8 months old
How to buy
Look for fruit without bruises and that gently yields to the touch.
Homemade Baby Food Recipe
Cut mango lengthwise to peel off skin and then cut pieces off of the pit. You can also try cutting near the pit and then slicing cubes into the skin part. Either way, getting the flesh of the mango is messy business.
How to store
When ripe, a mango will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.
Are there baby food jars?
Yes.
Should I buy organic?
No. It was found by the USDA to contain very little pesticide residue.
Adult Recipe
We think mangoes are great just cut up and served. But if you want to be adventurous, try making a mango lassi. This is a special yogurt drink served in India for dessert or with dinner.
Mango Lassi
1 cup chopped peeled mango
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups plain yogurt
Garnish: lime wedges
Purée mango with sugar in a blender until smooth. Add yogurt and blend well. Lassi can be made 6 hours ahead and served chilled.
Eating tip of the week
Even though you are probably exhausted, keep trying to buy and serve healthy food to your baby. If you don't have time to shop, keep a supply of frozen fruit and vegetables to keep you going until you do have time to shop.
Week #22 Shopping List
Baby Food
- corn
- mango
Adult Food
- 1 bag frozen corn or 2 or 3 ears corn
- 1 15 oz cans black beans
- 1 avocado
- 2 limes
- sugar
- plain yogurt
