Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been posting some new weaning recipes that I’ve created for Tommee Tippee. For use with their new Quick Cook blender, as part of a paid partnership with them. Here is a link to the first recipe, which was a Courgette Puree and the second recipe, which was a potato and salmon fishcake/mash recipe. This week’s choice is a green avocado pesto recipe!
The idea of working on this project was that I also to use this it as an opportunity to show parents how they can use a blender for many stages of weaning. Not just for purees but also for recipes to feed the whole family. I also wanted to use it as an opportunity to talk about how you can really explore and experiment with textures and flavours when it comes to weaning – adding in herbs and spices so families don’t feel the need to make dishes bland for baby.
So here goes for our third recipe, which is perfect for all the family, super simple to put together and makes a delicious, balanced meal.
Recipe 3: Green Avocado Pesto – Family mealtimes
This next recipe is perfect for all the family and makes enough to feed a family of four on top of some pasta or spaghetti. Perfect!
It’s a new take on two of my fav pasta toppings. My homemade pesto and my avocado, cheese and butter bean mash!
You can of course offer this to smaller babies as a mash if you want to, but it works perfectly as a topping for potatoes or spread on toast too. However, I love a pesto, and Raffy is a big fan of pasta, so it’s perfect for this.
I’ve used walnuts in this recipe, as they are a good plant-based source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, but if your little one hasn’t had walnuts before, it’s a good idea to offer them in a really small amount and on their own (as the only new food you offer that day) first! Check out my blogs with advice on introducing allergens to baby, and do have a chat with your GP or Health Visitor before offering allergens if you think your baby is “at risk” of allergies.
I made this recipe a few times, and if you add too much in the way of walnuts or lemon, it can go a little bitter, which isn’t a problem when added to the pasta, but on its own might not be as yummy.
So here is recipe number 3…
Green Avocado Pesto!
Serves 3-4 (2 adults and 2 children) on top of pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 small handful of Walnuts (around 6 walnut halves)
- 1 large avocado
- large handful of spinach
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A splash of olive oil
- Around 15g of grated cheese
Method:
- Grind the nuts in the Quick Cook blender for around 20 seconds, until they are finely ground.
- Add the avocado, spinach, lemon juice, cheese and olive oil and blend it for around 30 seconds. Take the jug out and use the spatula to stir the mixture well, making sure you get all the ground nuts from the bottom of the jug mixed in. Blend for around another 30 seconds.
- Serve to baby as a mash, spread it on toast or serve with some pasta, as per usual pesto!
You can always add a little grated cheese to the top if you like too!
As always let me know if you try it and use the #SRNutritionRecipes on social media x