Tomato, take 3

I'm fully aware that this post isn't exactly breaking news. But, it was the first time Buttercup actually seemed to enjoy a raw tomato, so I thought it was worth mentioning. You'll have to forgive me if you think I'm being repetitive. 

She's had tomato on other occasions, and likes it much better cooked. Raw tomatoes usually inspire Buttercup's "sour" face, which is pretty amusing for her parents. This particular evening, however, Hubby and I were eating salads with dinner so I gave some grape tomatoes to Buttercup just for kicks. I cut them in half first, since hard round foods still pose a choking hazard for  babies, regardless of their eating skill. 

She ate them! No faces!

PROS: high in vitamin C

CONS: an acquired taste for some

Tomato, take 2

When introducing your baby to solid foods, it's important to keep periodically retrying previously rejected foods. Buttercup seems to have a love/hate relationship with tomatoes. She's not a fan of them raw, but likes them in sauces or mixed in with other foods. I thought we would try to find a middle ground by giving her roasted tomatoes. These tomatoes were grape tomatoes cut in half and roasted with a bit of olive oil (with chicken and butternut squash).

These got mixed reviews from Buttercup. She made her usual "sour face" that she reserves for tomatoes, lemons and yogurt. But, she did keep trying. She also kept gagging on the skins, but eventually learned to spit them out after sucking out the insides. 

PROS: high in vitamin C

CONS: not Buttercup's favorite food

Spaghetti

Buttercup is mainly eating the same dinners as Hubby and I now. When we first started baby-led solids we would give her a single food item to work on. Now she happily chows down on complex meals. For example, I like to make a healthier version of spaghetti bolognese with: whole wheat noodles, Morning Star crumbles (meat alternative), spinach, mushrooms, garden tomatoes, and cream cheese. We gave some to Buttercup 's. The only difference I made to her portion was that I threw in some avocado, because I had to use some up and Buttercup hasn't been too thrilled with avocado lately (see Avocado, take 2). I made a little spaghetti pile on Buttercup's tray, since this is what's worked best with similar items (ex: tabouleh, rice).

Buttercup ate it all with gusto, even the mushrooms and tomatoes. I guess she likes those foods cooked better than raw. Also, this was the first time Buttercup had eaten dairy products that she didn't stink (see dairy posts). It was only a small amount, but maybe her body is getting better at handling it? Anyway, I love that her meals require so little preparation (and virtually no extra cost). BLS is so easy!

PROS: good way to combine lots of healthy foods

CONS: requires a bath afterwards

Mostaccioli

It was a happy day when Buttercup's grandma showed up on our doorstep with a pan of mostaccioli! I was very prepared to not have to cook dinner, but I was unprepared for Buttercup's response to this new food combo. I have never seen her eat so much in one sitting, consuming about a half cup of mostaccioli. It was a sight to behold!

I'm not sure of the exact recipe, but the dish contained ground turkey meat, penne noodles, tomatoes and portobella mushrooms. We weren't sure if Buttercup would like it, considering her response the first time she tried tomato and mushroom, but after her first little taste she devoured every little scrap she could find on her tray... and then had seconds. Ironically, this was one of her cleanest meals, since no little pieces of food ended up on the floor or in her high chair. Yep, she was that intense!

This meal provided Buttercup with lots of protein and nutrition along with the multiple flavors, and it provided me with the mandatory "baby covered in pasta sauce" photo. I think she will be enjoying this meal again soon.

PROS: yummy yummy

CONS: staining

Tomato

Buttercup recently had her first tomato experience. Really, is there anything better than a healthy homegrown tomato? One dinnertime, she kept honing in on a tiny piece of tomato that was stuck to one of her offered foods. So, I thought I would try giving her a couple chunks of tomato of her very own. To my surprise, she didn't like it.

I think Buttercup managed to swallow one bite, but mainly she kept putting the same piece in her mouth, making a 'sour face' then spitting it out and repeating the process. I'm pretty sure the acidity was a bit much for her taste buds. You've gotta give her an 'A' for effort, at least.

PROS: high in vitamins

CONS: too sour (though I've heard other babies love tomatoes)