Foods to freeze before baby


Freezer Meal Ideas – Happiest Baby

When you’ve just had a baby, the last thing you need is stress. Or more responsibility. Or clean-up! Meal trains and well-meaning neighbors are fabulous, but being prepared with a freezer stocked up on wholesome, filling meals to enjoy post-baby is an absolute “recipe” for success.  

Chili and lasagna may be the old standbys for make-ahead freezer meals, but there are so many more delicious and innovative recipes you can try with minimal effort in those final weeks of baby prep. (Full disclosure: Both chili and lasagna recipes show up on this list! But they’re special ones...)

Today’s freezer meals are nutrient-dense and flavorful, easy for busy parents to make, and warm up in minutes to give you that cozy, cared-for feeling that new moms and dads need more than anything. So, we’ve pulled together a month’s worth of options for you and your family to enjoy. Dig in! 

White Chicken Enchilada Casserole 

 

Photo & Recipe: Six Sisters’ Stuff

Creamy, salty, cheesy goodness are the words that come to mind with this easy-peasy, ultra-yummy make-ahead dish. Top with fresh tomatoes and basil and it’ll feel anything but frozen.

Non-Spicy Chili Freezer Meal

Photo & Recipe: Betty Crocker

If you’re breastfeeding—or simply have picky little kids in addition to the new baby—lay off the heat with your freezer chili... but don’t lay off the flavor! This old-school Betty Crocker recipe is expertly seasoned but won’t offend tiny taste buds. You can swap ground chicken, turkey, or even meat-free grounds in place of the beef if preferred. Make sure to stock up on shredded cheddar cheese ahead of Baby’s arrival, because you’ll want some for topping this and plenty of the other recipes on our list. 

Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: Minimalist Baker 

This naturally vegan and gluten-free minestrone soup is a no-brainer—and the kids will love it, too. Add or subtract your favorite veggies or whatever you have on hand to make life easier. It’s a 30-minute, one-pot recipe that stores easily in a Ziploc bag and is fantastically filling as its own, plant-based protein meal or with a side salad and of course some crusty bread for dipping.   

Black Bean Burgers 

 

Photo & Recipe: Project Meal Plan

These healthy burgers are easy to make and they freeze well for a pretty much instant, plant-based dinner you can serve in minutes. Add oven fries or a salad to round out the meal. 

Easy Freezer Meal Stir-Fry 

Photo & Recipe: Super Healthy Kids

This is a no-brainer recipe for the early baby days and will probably stay in your rotation for busy nights in the months and years ahead. Health-conscious and super-tasty, it’s an easy stir-fry that can be bagged and frozen for a balanced meal to enjoy once Baby arrives. 

Homemade Hot Pockets 

 

Photo & Recipe: Happy Money Saver

One thing you’ll get used to doing once Baby arrives is using one hand for practically everything. Since eating is no exception, these homemade “hot pockets” are an absolute win for new parents. 

Easy Baked Ziti Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: The Kitchn

It’s like a no-pressure lasagna, just as tasty and comforting without the finicky sheet noodles. Layer in your favorite cheeses and sauce, and please even the pickiest eaters in your home with this winning Italian freezer dinner.   

Pesto Chicken with Zoodles 

 

Photo & Recipe: Recipe Runner

Pasta is life when you’ve just had a baby, but “zoodles,” or, shredded zucchini in the shape of noodles, offer up a low-carb alternative for those nights you want a light, yet savory, meal. This recipe looks perfect for exactly that.  

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos 

 

Photo & Recipe: Minimalist Baker

This is one of those dishes where healthy and hearty collide, and you can pile up plate without a second thought. Happily, this make-ahead meal only takes 15 minutes of prep time, and once cooked, it can last in the freezer up to a month.  

Lasagna Roll-Ups Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: The Pioneer Woman

The Pioneer Woman never lets us down, with family-friendly recipes that are easy to recreate at home. This inventive take on freezer lasagna is an absolute must for the new-baby days.  

Chilean Empanadas 

 

Photo & Recipe: Skinny Taste

Two words: Um, yum! If you thought those hot pockets were a hit, keep the handheld goodness going with this flavorful Latin recipe that’s sure to be added to your permanent rotation. 

Shiitake Mushroom Risotto 

 

Photo & Recipe: Minimalist Baker

If you hadn’t guessed, we’re big fans of Minimalist Baker, where recipes are designed with real home cooks in mind (read: easy!) and most of it is exceptionally healthy as well. This rich, savory take on a classic risotto is freezer perfection, and it’s dairy-free, which is useful for any nursing mom whose baby has a sensitive tummy.

Vegetable Avgolemono Soup Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: Gimme Some Oven

 This vegetarian take on a traditional Greek lemon chicken soup uses eggs in place of heavy cream for a lightened-up version. The chickpeas add plant-based protein but you can substitute them or simply add in shredded roast chicken, fresh or store-bought.

Chicken Scampi Freezer Dinner

 

Photo & Recipe: The Cozy Cook

It's a family-friendly recipe that hits all the food groups with a bright, flavorful blend of spices; acid from the lemon; and creamy, cheesy elements. You and your crew are going to love this easy freezer dinner. 

Sundried Tomato Soup

 

Photo & Recipe: Deliciously Ella

There are a fair amount of soups on this list because they freeze and reheat well, and are a great way to bring in lots of much-needed veggies and other nutrient-dense foods when you’re recovering from childbirth. This one takes traditional tomato soup to the next level and will have you reaching for a second bowl. 

Turkey Picadillo

Photo & Recipe: Skinny Taste

It’s a healthier take on a classic Cuban recipe traditionally made with beef. This version is just as flavorful and easy to reheat and enjoy as the original, but if what you have on hand is beef or pork, feel free to sub those in.

Baked Spaghetti Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: The Cozy Cook

Comfort food at its finest... all gooey, cheesy, hearty, and ready-to-go! This is another make-ahead meal that your bigger kids will love just as much as you do.

Farro With Crispy Leeks

 

Photo & Recipe: Everyday Annie

Whole grains are so important for your health, and when your body is recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, you want to pack in as many nutrient-rich foods as possible. That’s why we’re recommending this tasty farro dish that feels elevated enough to be a restaurant meal but will be expertly (and easily) delicious right out of your freezer. 

Freezer Chicken Burritos 

 

Photo & Recipe: Simply Recipes

You could spend $10+ each on burritos plus delivery fees, tax, and a tip… or you could make these bad boys ahead and pop them in the freezer for anytime that craving hits in the weeks and months to come!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

 

Photo & Recipe: The Pioneer Women

Not exaaaaactly healthy, but absolutely delicious. You will have just birthed a human and be up half the night and all day caring for it. We think you deserve the noodle bake. 

Harissa Chicken Meatballs

 

Photo & Recipe: Skinny Taste 

In addition to all the cheesy goodness on this roundup, we wanted to make sure to have plenty of savory dairy-free recipes for those moms who need to go without it. These tasty chicken meatballs are naturally DF and GF, loaded with protein and flavor, and are perfect when served over pasta, rice, or veggies, or inside a pita pocket.  

Taco Lasagna Freezer Meal

 

Photo & Recipe: The Cozy Cook

We didn’t promise no lasagna, we just said they’d be different! And this taco take on classic lasagna is a flavor party for the mouth that the tiniest, pickiest eaters and their tired, ravenous parents will all equally enjoy.

Quinoa Chili Freezer Dinner

 

Photo & Recipe: Two Peas & Their Pod

Everyone wants their chili to be packed with protein; did you know you can accomplish that and still keep it meat-free? This modern chili recipe freezes and heats flawlessly for Meatless Monday, vegetarian households, or any time you want to mix it up with something new and different.

Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches 

 

Photo & Recipe: Peanut Butter and Fitness

Breakfast for dinner is always a good idea, and these make-ahead sammies were tirelessly taste-tested for freeze-ability. Make up a big ole’ batch and toss them in the freezer for a yummy, satisfying meal morning, noon, or (middle-of-the) night!

Easy Ground Beef Pasta

 

Photo & Recipe: The Cozy Cook

It’s like a homemade version of Hamburger Helper, but kicked way up to the next level. This creamy, meaty, crave-worthy meal is a must-try, especially if you have young picky eaters in the house. 

Dominican Rice & Beans Freezer Dinner

 

Photo & Recipe: Skinny Taste

A total staple, easy to heat and eat, and pairs beautifully with a side salad or even a piece of grilled meat or fish for a post-baby dinner packed with all the good stuff. 

Teriyaki Beef & Broccoli

 

Photo & Recipe: Hidden Ponies

Yum! This recipe is like getting excellent Chinese takeout without leaving the house. Boom!  

Carbonara Mac N Cheese

 

Photo & Recipe: Not Without Salt

Every recipe roundup needs a solid mac n cheese, and this tried-and-true recipe will not disappoint. The snap peas add brightness, the bacon adds salt, and the cheesy, creamy sauce will be sweet heaven when you’re running on empty and need a calorie boost. 

Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Bowls 

 

Photo & Recipe: Pinch of Yum

Sometimes you just really want something super healthy, and this clean, plant-based dish is a really good one to have in the freezer for those nights. 

Sausage, Broccoli, & Quinoa Casserole

 

Photo & Recipe: My Recipes

Surprised that there weren’t many casseroles on this list? Look... not everyone likes them. But they sure do freeze well, and this savory, indulgent recipe might just change your mind if you’re in the anti-casserole club. 

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Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at customercare@happiestbaby. com.

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

25 Yummy Freezer Meals to Make Before Baby Comes

Get ready for baby’s big debut by prepping these delicious freezer meals in advance! Taking one big day to prepare freezer meals in advance will make your life so much easier once baby arrives!

I hate cooking. I didn’t like it when I was single, once I got married, and especially once I had a baby.

I didn’t know what to expect when I had my baby, but I knew I wanted to be as prepared as possible and do as much prep work ahead of time so my life would be a little bit easier once my baby was born.

One thing I knew I didn’t want to tackle in those first few weeks post birth was worrying about dinner every night. I wanted to be as brainless as possible so I could focus on my newborn, breastfeeding, and my postpartum recovery.

One of the best things my husband and I did when we were tackling items off our pregnancy checklist was take a Saturday afternoon to make several freezer cooked meals. It was a fun activity for us to do together and made those first few weeks with a baby a lot easier!

How Many Freezer Meals Should I Make?

This is totally up to you and how soon you think you’ll be ready to cook again after your baby is born! We found about 10 different freezer friendly recipes that we liked and tripled each of them, giving us 30 meals total.

Those freezer meals coupled with our meal train where our friends and family brought us meals, lasted us through about 11 weeks postpartum, which was amazing!

By that point, I still didn’t want to cook but we kinda had a better hang on our baby and getting a little more sleep so were weren’t complete zombies.

I recommend finding about 10 to 12 recipes you like and then doubling or tripling them. It’s easier to batch prep meals. Making three sets of lasagnas is a lot easier to shop and make than making three completely different meals.

Here are 25 delicious freezer meals that you can make before baby. Look through these to see which ones your family will enjoy. Then, make them now and your future self will really thank you!

Supplies Needed for Freezer Cooking

In addition to the ingredients you’ll need for each meal, check if you have up these supplies before heading to the grocery store. Having everything you need before you start cooking will make everything go a lot smoother:

  • Slow cooker
  • Freezer bags
  • Sharpie or labels
  • Several baking pans
  • Cookware and utensils
  • Aluminum foil

25 Yummy Freezer Meals to Make Before Baby

This chicken enchilada casserole from Six Sisters Stuff is a quick and simple recipe that the whole family will love! The prep on these takes a fraction of the time as your typical enchiladas!

These spinach lasagna rolls from Savor and Savvy are loaded with sauce, spinach, and cheese! A perfect, easy meal when you’re massively hungry from breastfeeding and taking care of a newborn!

Happy Money Saver’s teriyaki beef and broccoli recipe is a perfect substitute for those nights you’re craving takeout! Full of protein and veggies, and better-for-you ingredients! Add a side of brown rice and you have a complete and delicious meal!

These black bean burgers are vegan and gluten free, so they’re perfect for all diet types. They have a kick of spice for some added flavor. Grab the recipe from Hey Nutrition Lady.

Chicken parmesan casserole is a hearty recipe, perfect for tired moms and dads who need a good home cooked meal. This recipe from Thriving Home Blog looks so tasty!

Grilled meat is one of the easiest things to prepare when you don’t feel like cooking. It seems like my husband is always in the mood to grill so meal prepping these chicken marinades from Sweet Peas and Saffron in advance would really come in handy!

After having a baby and having postpartum hormones, sometimes a good comfort meal can really help. Enter these muffin tin meatloafs from Some the Wiser. Perfect for a yummy, quick dinner in a rush.

These cream cheese chicken taquitos from Isabel Eats look amazing! I am making these ASAP, even without needing to meal plan before baby!

I loved Hamburger Helper as a kid and The Girl on the Bloor’s version of beef stroganoff is a healthier, lighter recipe that looks so good!

This tandori chicken from Pinch of Yum is so easy to make! No measuring cups, spoons, or fuss. Just a simple all-in-one-bagged meal that is delicious!

I love a good sweet potato and these buffalo chicken sweet potatoes add some yummy protein to make them a complete meal. See how The Creative Bite whipped these up.

Stir fry has to be one of the easiest meals to prep and freeze before baby comes and this chicken stir fry recipe from Super Healthy for Kids looks so good! You can easily substitute the chicken for another meat if you want too!

Comfort food to feed a crowd! This baked ziti from Love and Lemons will provide plenty of leftovers as well! Her homemade tomato sauce looks so yummy!

Hot Pockets were another go-to of mine as a kid and teen. Sally’s Baking Addiction has some homemade ham and cheese pockets that are perfect when you need an easy, peasy meal.

A hearty stuffed pepper soup from Skinnytaste is perfect for those cold winter evenings. This soup is full of goodies like ground beef to warm your belly, post baby!

Prepping these swedish meatballs from The Recipe Rebel is a breeze with pre-made meatballs. Then, just use your slow cooker when you’re ready to heat them up.

Frozen pizza is always an easy meal when you don’t feel like cooking, but these homemade frozen pizzas from Recipe Tin Eats look even better! Her easy recipe costs less than $2 a pizza!

Sometimes, the simplest meals are the best ones! This roasted chicken and veggies dinner from I Hate Meal Prep is full of flavor and has all the nutrients you need.

Turn these carrot and cauliflower fritters from Green Plate Club into a main dish with a side of mixed greens. This is a healthy meal to make before baby! All the instructions for freezing and reheating these are on the site.

Turkey chili is a great way to fill up with an easy meal. Check out Dinner at the Zoo’s recipe for a yummy and simple meal.

I love chicken pot pies and these mini chicken pot pies from Butter Your Biscuit look amazing! Smaller portions means you don’t have to share!

These freezer to crockpot chicken fajitas could not be more simple! A perfect weeknight meal to enjoy when your baby is napping. Grab the instructions from Humbled Homemaker.

You can make several of these ham sliders for an easy meal after baby is born. Just heat up a few for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Get the recipe from Life in the Lofthouse.

You’ll be so glad you made these feta and sweet potato enchiladas from Happy Veggie Kitchen once it’s time to eat them! The combination of feta cheese and sweet potatoes looks amazing!

My favorite meals to make before baby are crockpot freezer meals. Little prep on both sides means an easy dinner for me. If you want something delicious and simple, look no further than this honey sesame chicken from Fabulessly Frugal.

Get busy making these yummy freezer meals before you have your baby so you can enjoy eating them when your postpartum! I promise you will think it was such a great idea when you aren’t having to cook every night!

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Amy Motroni

I'm Amy and I'm so glad you've stopped by! As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, my goal is to walk you through the process of getting your baby to sleep, so your whole family gets the rest they need!

My blog is full of things to help you celebrate motherhood including baby nursery ideas, sleep schedules and sleep tips, fun printables, baby registry must-haves, and so much more.

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What foods can be frozen for complementary foods| How to Freeze Weaning Vegetables for the Winter

There are easy ways to freeze weaning vegetables for the winter - we have prepared tips on what to do to preserve their taste and useful properties.

If the introduction of complementary foods falls during the winter months, it is worth preparing for it in advance. Freezing is the easiest way to preserve the vitamins in vegetables.

If you're planning to start feeding vegetables with zucchini, here are some tips on how to freeze this tasty and healthy vegetable for your baby. nine0007

Then the baby is introduced to cauliflower and broccoli. Our tips will help you figure out how to freeze cauliflower for baby food.

SEE ALSO: I have an idea! How to freeze strawberries

How to freeze vegetables for feeding for the winter

You can often hear that when exposed to temperature, vitamins and nutrients do not remain in frozen vegetables. Moreover, preservatives must be added to preserve the products. In fact, this is a myth. nine0007

Frozen vegetables retain all the same vitamins and minerals as fresh vegetables. The only difference is that the bacteria that cause decay with a sharp change in temperature stop their life activity.

Therefore, as soon as you defrost vegetables, do not put off preparing puree for complementary foods for a long time.

If the frozen vegetables for complementary foods for the winter are properly stored in the freezer, then they are just as good for the health of the child as fresh ones.0004

  1. Vegetables that you plan to freeze to feed your baby for the winter must be ripe, ready to eat, free of spots, cracks and other defects.
  2. Food must be thoroughly washed and dried before freezing. The remaining moisture will turn into ice and the frozen food will stick together.
  3. What foods can be frozen for complementary foods. You should not freeze vegetables that are stored fresh without problems - for example, white cabbage, beets, carrots, etc. It is better to fill the free space in the freezer with zucchini, cauliflower, green peas, etc. nine0037
  4. Separate the cauliflower and broccoli into florets and cut the zucchini into rings or cubes.
  5. Prepare the bags in which you will place the vegetables for freezing.

    Regular plastic freezer bags are not suitable!

    Freeze best in special freezer containers or freezer bags (with special zipper). When choosing freezer containers for ready-to-eat meals, use ones that can be put in the oven or microwave right away. nine0036

  6. Arrange the prepared, washed and dried vegetables in bags in such quantity that when you take out the bag, use all its contents at a time.

    Never refreeze defrosted food!

    After placing the vegetables in the bags, squeeze out the air and close them tightly (this is what you need bags with a fastener, or use special clips or adhesive tape).

  7. All frozen vegetables that you put in the freezer must be labeled - write what kind of vegetable it is and put the date of freezing. nine0002 This can be done with a marker (write directly on the packaging) or adhesive labels. Do not count on the fact that you will remember everything anyway, because the products change their appearance after freezing, and over time, what exactly is stored in the freezer is forgotten.

Video: how to properly freeze vegetables, fruits and greens

Freezing vegetables for feeding

Unlike berries and fruits, vegetables must be blanched before freezing. nine0007

Blanching is the treatment of fruit with boiling water or steam for several minutes to kill bacteria and also stop the action of enzymes that lead to loss of taste and color.

After blanching, the vegetables must be immediately immersed in cold water to prevent them from being completely cooked.

How to blanch vegetables:

  • Asparagus: cut to desired length and blanch 2-4 minutes
  • Broccoli: split into florets and blanch 3 minutes
  • Brussels sprouts: wash well and blanch 3-5 minutes
  • White cabbage: usually not frozen for the winter
  • Cauliflower : soak for 30 minutes in a salt water solution and blanch for 1-3 minutes in boiling salt water
  • Spinach: remove leaves from stems and blanch for 2 minutes. Before freezing, wash in plenty of water and dry
  • Zucchini: Peel, dice and blanch 3 minutes
  • Green peas: peel, separate the kernels and blanch for 3-4 minutes

Usually weaning food for a baby starts with one product, so it is convenient to freeze one vegetable in small bags.

How to store frozen vegetables for winter food

The introduction of vegetable food starts one vegetable at a time with small portions to find out how the child tolerates this or that product. Therefore, it is worth freezing small portions (in small proportions) separately of zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli. nine0007

Then they start preparing mixed vegetable purees for feeding the baby - for this you can freeze small bags with a mix of vegetables: zucchini, onions, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, broccoli.

Frozen Mix Vegetables for Baby Food

It is important to pack and close bags of frozen vegetables well. It is best to put them on the bottom of the freezer or near the back wall. If you store frozen vegetables near the door, they can soften with temperature changes. nine0007

SEE ALSO: 5 Essential Summer Feeding Rules

How to Store Frozen Vegetables for Weaning

If the lights go out in the house, keep the freezer door closed to keep the temperature inside as long as possible. Feeding vegetables can be safely refrozen a second time, provided they have not thawed completely and have been left in the unplugged freezer for no more than 2 hours.

If there is condensation in a package of frozen vegetables and the contents become soft to the touch, it is better to take care of the child's health and throw everything away. nine0007

Now you know how to freeze zucchini, cauliflower and other vegetables to feed a baby for the winter and you will be able to cook vegetable purees for your baby.

Read also: When to introduce potatoes to complementary foods and how to cook them

Read also: Homemade cottage cheese for the first feeding baby food - Encyclopedia Baby food Viktoriya Levchuk©

Knowing how to freeze baby food, you can cook and store whole batches of homemade food for your child, because this is a real find for busy parents.

Table of Contents:

There are several ways to freeze baby food - they all work equally well - but may take up different amounts of freezer space.

By all means…

… homemade baby food must be prepared and then refrigerate as quickly as possible to prevent bacterial growth. Any food left at room temperature for more than two hours is not safe for a child to consume and should be thrown away. nine0007

To cool cooked food quickly, you can try putting it in a shallow container - you can even dip the container in a pot of cold water to help speed up the process.

How to Freeze Baby Food Method 1

Thoroughly clean the ice cube tray and the spoon that will be used to fill each section. An ice tray with a resealable lid is ideal as it protects food from frostbite or picking up any odors from the freezer. If there is no mold with a lid, you can cover with food-safe plastic wrap. Some people use foil, although we don't recommend it as some of the foil will remain in the food! nine0007

Place the filled ice tray in the freezer, and - once completely frozen - place them in ZIP bags that take up less space in the freezer.

This method produces small portions of baby food that are ideally sized - typically around 30 grams or so. One cube per meal may be enough for a child to start with, but as they grow, you may need to increase the number of cubes at a time or increase the ice cube tray.

You can also make many different flavors of baby food by mixing and matching different fruit and vegetable cubes, for example, the combination of apple puree cube with carrot puree cube, delicious! nine0007

Which ice mold should I choose?

Some ice cube trays are specifically made for baby food and do not contain potentially harmful chemicals - but you can use a regular ice cube tray, or you might be advised to try a silicone mold, or even stainless steel trays, although the regular plastic version will do. if there is confidence in the quality of the workmanship.

How to freeze baby food - Method 2

Same as method 1, since the process of freezing baby food is the same, only silicone cupcake molds are used instead of an ice mold! Their flexibility makes it easy to remove food portions - plus, of course, their use is beneficial when the baby starts to eat more baby food!

How to Freeze Baby Food - Method 3

If no suitable freezer containers are available for baby food, baking paper can be used (although a little more freezer space will be needed initially). nine0007

Simply spoon the cooked baby puree onto the baking sheet to form small mounds (though note that this will not work if the puree is too thin). We cover the baking paper with cling film, freeze, and then mix the servings of food into bags, as before.

How to Freeze Baby Food - Method 4

Another good way to freeze homemade baby food is to divide the puree into freezer glass jars and place them in the freezer. nine0007

However, please note that you should never freeze baby food in glass jars unless the jar manufacturer has specifically stated that freezing is safe and possible.

Jars that are freezer safe must be properly labeled and distinguished from other tins (including commercial baby food tins) that are not strong enough to withstand the expansion of food that occurs during the freezing process. nine0007

This means that the jar may burst or, even worse, there may be small microcracks that cannot be seen with the eyes, but which will allow tiny pieces of glass to get into the baby's food.

How to Freeze Baby Food Method 5

Probably the most popular way to freeze homemade baby food is to use freezer trays or jars for baby food, there are so many options to choose from! nine0007

Manufacturers, recognizing the growing trend of parents to freeze baby puree, offer special forms of baby food that make life easier, well, because there is a lid! What's more, these molds are free of potentially harmful chemicals, which is something some plastic trays for general consumption are guilty of.

Tracking the finished product

Most types of baby food - especially puree - freeze perfectly. Sometimes you will have to experiment with texture, since the freezing process itself consists in the fact that the water in the product expands when it freezes, destroying the cell walls. This is especially noticeable when the whole food is frozen, for example a frozen banana will be very soft when thawed. nine0007

To reduce the hassle of freezing baby food here are some helpful tips. ..

- Do not puree too thin before freezing. Keep in mind that many foods become watery when thawed (especially fruits and vegetables), adding extra liquid before freezing will then add too much cereal to thicken!

- Herbs and spices tend to lose their flavor in the freezer. If a baby food recipe calls for them, it is best to add them after after the food is defrosted, just before heating.

- Baked foods - like homemade nuggets or fish fingers - are best frozen when they are almost cooked but not fully done. This is because the structure of the food when frozen and thawed can behave negatively.

— When freezing yoghurt, remember that it may be too thin when defrosted. Sometimes stirring it well is enough to solve this problem - but in some cases, the resulting yogurt is too thin to eat with a spoon, so such yogurt can be used in a smoothie! nine0007

- A good result is obtained from freezing rice and oatmeal, which is good if the morning is like a nightmare and there is no time to organize a full breakfast. Only cereals should not be made too thin before they are frozen .

- Many fruits - especially apples and pears - can look very brown when frozen and thawed. This discoloration is a natural and harmless result of the fruit being exposed to air, but if it's a concern, mixing lemon juice and fruit puree before freezing can solve the problem. Please note that citrus fruits can cause an allergic reaction in babies, so you can use it with a changed color! nine0007

- If you want to make your own stock of vegetable or meat broth, which is convenient, you just need to prepare a large batch at a time and freeze. It's worth trying freezing in ice cube trays or baby food trays, as discussed above - then the ideal size of small portions will be in the freezer to use as needed.

- If baby food has been frostbitten, fortunately food safety is not affected - simply thaw and then cut or spoon away the affected areas. nine0007

How to defrost baby food

The safest and easiest way to defrost baby food is to put it in the refrigerator overnight before feeding.


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