Mushroom, take 2

I've said it before, but if your baby rejects a food don't be afraid to keep retrying it down the road. For example, a few months ago Buttercup didn't care for raw mushrooms. But, the other night I was cooking dinner and a sliced mushroom landed on the floor near where Buttercup was playing. It promptly went into her mouth. And, she "asked" for more of it! 

So, there you have it: a previously rejected food is now a yummy treat.

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

Mushroom

To prepare the mushroom, I pulled the stem off and peeled the cap, per my peculiar custom. I'm sure it would work fine to just give it an old-fashioned scrub. I handed Buttercup the peeled cap and first she tried to put the whole thing in her mouth, which was funny. But, as soon as she got a bite off she made a horrible "yuck" face. She persevered and kept sticking the mushroom back in her mouth, grimacing every time, and ended up with a whole huge mouthful of mushroom pieces at one point. I'm not sure if she actually swallowed any, but I don't think she was much impressed. I guess mushrooms do have a pretty intense flavor and plenty of grown adults don't like them. I really want Buttercup to like them, though. Maybe we'll try them cooked at a later date.

Did you know that mushrooms are the best food source of the vital micro mineral selenium?

PROS: easy to chew

CONS: strong taste