Hanukkah-Inspired Foods for Baby
In This Article
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the rededication of the Holy Temple after it was reclaimed from the Syrian-Greeks more than 21 centuries ago. Fried foods are traditional fare during Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of the Hanukkah oil that lasted eight days when it should have only last one.
This year Hanukkah starts on December 7. Just because you’re baby isn’t eating solids doesn’t mean he can’t partake in the celebration. Here are some ideas and recipes on how to include your little ones in the flavours of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah-Inspired Food for Babies ages 4 to 6 months
Just because baby’s first foods are limited doesn’t mean they can’t celebrate the Festival of Lights. Common first food purees that have a Hanukkah flavor include:
- Applesauce
- Green Beans
- Broccoli
Broccoli Puree:
Prep 1 ½ pounds of fresh broccoli by washing and cutting off the stalk ends. Cut the broccoli into one inch chunks. If fresh broccoli is not available, use 20 ounces of frozen, already cut, broccoli instead.
There are two ways to cook the broccoli before pureeing.
Microwave: Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe dish with two tablespoons of water. Cover with a lid. Cook on high for eight to 10 minutes. Let stand for five minutes. The broccoli is done if a fork slides easily into them or they can be mashed easily. Place the broccoli, cooking juice, and two tablespoons of water into a blender or food processor.
Stove: Pour 1½ cups of water in a large saucepan. Put a steamer basket in the saucepan. Place broccoli pieces in the steamer basket. Cover the saucepan and place it on a stove burner. Set the burner temperature to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for the suggested cooking time in the table. Don’t let the water boil away. Check the water level during cooking and add more water if needed. Let stand for five minutes. The broccoli is done if a fork slides easily into it or it can be mashed easily. Place the vegetables and four tablespoons of cooking juice into a blender or food processor.
Once your broccoli is cooked and cooled you can puree it. Puree broccoli in the blender or food processor to a smooth texture. You may need to add ¼ to ½ cup of additional water to get a smooth texture. At least once during the puree process, stop the appliance and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
Spoon the pureed broccoli into ice cube trays and cover them. Put them in the freezer for 8 to 10 hours or overnight.
