Thanksgiving dinner baby food

10 Thanksgiving Foods for Babies Starting Solids

As baby’s first Thanksgiving rolls around, you are probably excited to include your newest family member in all the holiday festivities. And what does Thanksgiving involve? Lots and lots of eating! For those families still getting the hang of solids, we asked our expert Pediatric Nutritionist to give you some tips for how to safely include your baby in the Thanksgiving feast.

Before we jump into what foods to serve and some ways to serve them, let’s cover a few solid food basics.

Firstly, make sure baby is ready. And by that, we mean to make sure they are 1) at least 4 months old (though most babies are ready closer to 6 months) and 2) Sitting up with good head control.

Second, know your feeding options. Will you be spoon-feeding your child purees or offering them the chance to self-feed through Baby-Led Weaning? If you’re not sure the answer, Tinyhood’s Introducing Solids 101 course will walk you through both options, and how and why you might implement each of them.

Third, be aware of potential allergens. While babies can have an allergic reaction to almost any kind of food, the top 8 triggers are: cow’s milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and eggs. You may want to avoid giving a high-risk food for the very first time at the Thanksgiving dinner table. If you plan to use any of these foods (like dairy) in Thanksgiving recipes, try offering dairy a few days before to check for an allergic reaction.

And fourth, set yourself up for success. Feeding your child in these early days isn’t just about nutrition, but it’s a great way to bond. So pull that high chair right up to the table, and prepare for potential messes by bringing a bib, a splash mat, and a change of clothes.

Now, on to the main event! Let’s go through some favorite Thanksgiving foods and how you can safely introduce them to your baby, whether you are choosing to offer them as a puree or serving them whole in the style of Baby-Led Weaning.

1. Turkey

To puree: Mix with water, formula, breast milk or broth puree to your desired consistency.

For Baby-Led Weaning: Remove the skin and offer a strip about ½-1 inch thick of light or dark meat. Or, you can offer a drumstick for baby to gnaw or suck on. (Psst — this option makes for a great photo opp!)

2. Mashed Potatoes

This is an easy one for the puree AND Baby-Led Weaning crowd… just serve it! If you want, you can also add a little liquid (breast milk, formula, cow’s milk, broth, water) and use a fork to mash to your desired consistency. This is particularly helpful if the potatoes are a bit gummy.

3. Sweet potatoes

Same as above! If they are mashed, you can more or less just serve them. Avoid classic sweet potato casseroles though, as marshmallows have unwanted added sugar and are also a choking hazard.

4. Pumpkin/Butternut Squash

Again, the recommendation is largely the same as it was for potatoes. Just remember, pumpkin pie is not the same as pumpkin. It’s best to keep babies away from the amount of added sugar in a pumpkin pie.

5. Glazed carrots

Avoid recipes that contain honey as babies under 1 year are at increased risk of botulism. As this dish traditionally has a lot of added sugar, set aside carrots to cook plain then add your own Thanksgiving seasonings (like cinnamon or nutmeg) for baby.

To puree: Blend with your liquid and seasonings of choice.

For Baby-Led Weaning: Make sure they are soft to the touch! This dish might require a little extra cooking before you serve it. Cut into halves, thirds, or long strips. Avoid coin shaped pieces.

6. Cranberry Jelly/Sauce

In general, we say no added sugar in babies’ diets — but HEY it’s the holidays and just one meal. Treat this as a condiment to taste and not a “dish.” Generally, the texture of these are great for purees and Baby-Led Weaning, but make sure to scan for any whole cranberries, as these can be a choking hazard.

7. Stuffing

To puree: Blend with your liquid of choice, or add some liquid and mash with a fork.

For Baby-Led Weaning: Just serve! Break up any particularly large pieces, though, to avoid any gummy clumps, and make sure any vegetables are cooked properly.

8. Bread/Rolls

Technically, this can be pureed, but mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing provide more festive carbohydrate options.

For Baby-Led Weaning, lightly toast bread or rolls to avoid large, gummy clumps of bread. Feel free to add butter or spread some other Thanksgiving foods like stuffing or potatoes on top.

9. Green beans

To puree: Blend with broth or gravy without added salt.

For Baby-Led Weaning: Remove any hard ends and steam or bake until they are soft to the touch, and serve whole. You can even give green bean casserole as long as the beans are soft enough.

10. Brussel sprouts

To puree: Blend steamed sprouts with the liquid of choice. Feel free to add some seasoning to this one.

For Baby-Led Weaning: Brussel sprouts can be tough, so steam them well, and cut into quarters or shred them.

Some final thoughts and tips…

Combine foods. If baby is low-risk for allergies, feel free to combine several foods into one puree, or give baby several different options when it comes to self-feeding.

Offer flavor. Don’t shy away from traditional Thanksgiving seasonings (cinnamon, nutmeg, sage, thyme, rosemary, etc).

Avoid dessert dishes. A little sugar in certain dishes is fine and oftentimes unavoidable, but it’s too soon for the level of added sugar found in desserts. Remember “added sugar” doesn’t just include white and brown sugar, but maple syrup, honey, agave, and fruit juices. If you really want baby to get in on the fun of dessert (keep in mind this is a fun, bonding experience!) offer baked apples with cinnamon.

Watch for choking hazards. These include raw/undercooked veggies, whole or large pieces of nuts, marshmallows, gummy foods (add liquid to revitalize potatoes, breads, stuffings), whole cranberries, coin shaped or large chunks of vegetables.

Keep a close eye on baby. This goes back to the choking hazards bit, but remember that the Thanksgiving table is a lot more chaotic and distracting than baby is probably used to. Make sure you’ve refreshed your Child CPR & Choking skills to keep everyone safe.

Most importantly, remember this is just one meal. While every “first” is an exciting one, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Don’t try foods you aren’t comfortable with, and don’t stress too much if baby’s salt or sugar intake is higher than normal. Whether you are going somewhere and aren’t sure of the menu or cooking yourself, it’s a good idea to have some “safe foods” you know baby likes already that you can offer come meal time. The most important thing is enjoying yourselves and sharing a meal together!

6 Thanksgiving Foods That Make Great Meals for Baby

It’s Thanksgiving time! The holiday revolves around friends and family (and tasty food), so of course you want to involve baby in the festivities. If baby is ready to start eating solids, consider letting your little one try a bit of your special meal—there are a bunch of traditional Thanksgiving foods that make perfect baby purees and finger foods. (Plus, that means less prep work for you!) Here are some of our favorites.

1. Sweet Potatoes

As much as they are a Thanksgiving staple, cooked sweet potatoes are also a classic ingredient for baby food: They’re soft and easy for gums to mash, and they’re rich in beta-carotene, which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system. There are a few different ways you can prepare them for baby—head here for step-by-step instructions.

2. Pumpkin

Before you fill your pie, put aside some pumpkin for baby. It’s rich in beta carotene and has protein and potassium too. Ideally, you want to use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, that’s fine too. Just double check that you’re not serving “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch and other stuff you probably don’t want your little one to have.

3. Apples

Same goes if you’re making an apple pie! Apples pack punches of vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too. Bake or steam some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.

4. Green Beans

What’s Thanksgiving without green bean casserole? Good news: Green beans are also approved for early eaters. These greens have vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and more. They’re also easy to prepare: Just steam and then puree (just make sure the skins get completely mushed up—they can be stubborn!).

5. Squash

Butternut and acorn squashes are two of our favorite baby foods. Cut them in half, bake, scoop and puree (or cut into pieces, if your kid is older). They make the house smell amazing! Plus, they’ve got fiber, protein, potassium and calcium.

6. Turkey

Yup, believe it or not, many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meats into baby’s diet fairly early, around 8 months or so. (Just ask your doctor first.) Turkey is rich in protein and iron (if it’s dark meat). It can be pureed with a little water or fruit, or chopped into tiny pieces for a toddler who’s already a good chewer.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

7 Toddler-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

30 Baby and Toddler Thanksgiving Outfits You’ll Gobble Right Up

5 Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

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Thanksgiving Turkey, Puree and Cranberry Sauce | Kitchens of the world | Kitchen

11/28/2013 15:00

Maria Tikhmeneva

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

34156

Shutterstock. com

Thanksgiving is one of the most important American holidays after Christmas and Easter. It originated in the 17th century. The history of the holiday is as follows: when the first settlers appeared in 1620, the New World did not treat them too kindly. Europeans were not adapted to local conditions and in the autumn were left with almost no crops and food. The first winter in the new place was very hard, many died of starvation. All the settlers would have died, but the locals shared supplies with them, and in the spring the Indians helped the whites plant maize, corn, and sweet potatoes. They taught how to cultivate the local land, how to get a good harvest on it. nine0005

In autumn, the settlers' efforts were rewarded - they gathered a rich harvest and arranged a holiday. Indians from the local tribe were also invited to the feast, and they did not come to visit empty-handed, they brought turkeys baked in coals. Since then, the turkey has been the main dish of the holiday, which became known as Thanksgiving, because the settlers thanked God for the gift of life and harvest.

Baked turkey

This is the main Thanksgiving dish. A dish for which any American will travel half the country, only to end up in his parents' house and try his mother's turkey. nine0005 Photo: mmenu.com

Baked turkey recipes - a million. It is made both with filling and without. They bake with apples, giblets, dried fruits, oranges, spicy herbs ... Often a turkey is made without stuffing or not a lot of it is put: the fact is that a densely stuffed bird is poorly baked. Everyone loves the filling, so it is often cooked separately from the turkey itself - such a paradox.

1 turkey
1 sour apple
1 orange
0.5 l dry white wine
½ bunch fresh rosemary
½ bunch fresh thyme
Salt, white and black pepper, ground coriander
1 tbsp flour
Disposable syringe
Baking bag

Step 1. Wash and gut the turkey (reserve the giblets for stuffing).
Step 2. Rub the bird with spices and salt. Pour in wine and leave overnight. nine0050 Step 3. Draw the marinade into the syringe and prick the bird.
Step 4. Put inside the apple, peeled and cut into slices, and the orange, cut into slices, as well as herbs.
Step 5. Sprinkle the inside of the baking sleeve with flour, put the bird in it, tie it up and bake for 4-6 hours in the oven at 180 degrees.
Step 6. When the turkey is ready, open the sleeve, increase the temperature and brown the turkey for 15-20 minutes. Remove the filling and cut the bird into portions. nine0005

Cranberry Sauce

Whatever the filling, and whatever recipe is used to prepare the turkey, roasted poultry is always served with cranberry sauce. By the way, on Thanksgiving Day, Americans eat a fifth of all the cranberries they use in a year.

Photo: mmenu.com

1 kg cranberries
Juice of 4 large oranges
1-2 cups sugar (to taste)
A little orange peel
100 ml orange liqueur (optional)

Step 1. Rinse and puree the cranberries with a blender.
Step 2. Gradually add orange juice and sugar and pepper.
Step 3. Bring to a boil over low heat, add the zest and maybe a little orange liqueur

Mashed potatoes with cheese

Mashed potatoes are a traditional side dish for turkeys. We suggest making it quite spicy and adding cheese. nine0005 Photo: mmenu.com

2 kg potatoes
1 cup cream
200 g grated hard cheese
100 g butter
Red pepper powder
A little ground chili
Salt

Step 1. Peel the potatoes, cut into large pieces and boil until soft. Salt
Step 2. Drain the water and puree the potatoes with a blender. Heat cream. nine0050 Step 3. Whisk cream and cheese into puree. Beat again with a blender. If necessary, you can additionally dilute the mashed potato broth.
Step 4. Add pepper and salt.

Stuffing for turkey

As we have already said, often the stuffing is prepared separately from the bird itself.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Turkey Offal
2-3 bulbs
100 g breadcrumbs
3-4 sour apples
1 cup chicken stock
Salt, pepper, rosemary
Bunch of parsley

Step 1. Wash and boil offal. Cut in small pieces.
Step 2. Chop the onion and stew in the turkey juice, then add the giblets and fry.
Step 3. Peel and finely chop the apple.
Step 4. Add croutons and an apple to the giblets, pour in the broth, salt, pepper, put rosemary. nine0050 Step 5. Bake at a low temperature in the oven for 40 minutes. 10 minutes before readiness, add chopped greens.

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin is the main decoration of the Thanksgiving table. They also make pumpkin pie, similar to cheesecake, and pour it with whipped cream.

Photo: mmenu.com

400 g flour
1 stick of butter
3 eggs
1 kg pumpkin pulp
1 cup heavy cream
Cinnamon
Vanilla sugar
Salt

Step 1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Grind with soft butter to make greasy crumbs. Add a slightly beaten egg and knead the dough.
Step 2. Roll it into a ball, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 3. Cut pumpkin pulp into cubes, add some water to it and simmer until soft. Then punch in a blender. nine0050 Step 4. Roll out the dough to the size of the mold, adding an allowance for the sides. Put the dough into a mold and bake for 15 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees.
Step 5. Beat two eggs with sugar and cream, add everything to the pumpkin and beat again. Put spices and salt.
Step 6. Pour the filling over the cake and bake for 50-60 minutes at 180 degrees. Cut when the cake is cold.

Baked sweet potatoes

Photo: Shutterstock.com

5-6 pcs. sweet potato
5-6 tbsp maple syrup
Brown sugar to taste
Butter

Step 1. Wash potatoes, boil until soft and peel.
Step 2. Puree with syrup and sugar.
Step 3. Pour into a mold and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4. Serve with butter.

american cuisine thanksgiving pumpkin recipes turkey

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Media news2

Thanksgiving: the best place for dinner

Thanksgiving is a wonderful and beloved family holiday. It's time to forget about all the work issues and relax. Today, in all the fine institutions of New York, fireplaces sparkle, soulful laughter sounds and smiles sparkle. The best restaurants in the city will help to solve the issue of organizing a holiday without much delay. nine0005

Thanksgiving is a wonderful and warm holiday when all family members gather at the same table to relax and say words of gratitude and love to each other. What to do if for some reason you could not organize a family reception at home? The poster presents a list of places where the festive atmosphere will definitely please you, and the turkey will be cooked to perfection.

Eleven Madison Park

The design of this restaurant will not leave indifferent any of the relatives and friends.

Chef Daniel Hamm and his loyal associates are known throughout the world for their intriguing culinary experiments. This amazing chef has reinvented American cuisine time and time again, never forgetting to add his signature pinch of classics. Dinner at this restaurant promises to be fabulous. The four main course menus reimagines the beloved holiday dinner classics in many ways, and the main highlight of the evening promises to be a signature malt nut tart that you will never forget! nine0005

Union Square Cafe

Large restaurant that offers an amazing Thanksgiving children's menu. On the menu this evening you will find culinary wonders for adults. Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to visit this place for the first time, if for some reason you have always put off visiting for some reason. Tortelli nut paste, herb turkey, chic pudding and incredible chestnut soup are just a small part of the huge spectrum of taste emotions of this place. The poster reminds us that this autumn the restaurant was also opened on 19oh street. Please keep this in mind when booking tables.

Rôtisserie Georgette

Is there a place in New York with the same expertise in poultry? Is there a restaurant in New York where they not only cook it deliciously, but also do it at a good speed without sacrificing quality? If Thanksgiving and turkey are synonymous for you and you do not want to visit the central institutions of the city, then this is the place for you. The three-course menu offers a wide selection of appetizers, including chestnut soup with black truffle croutons and red and golden beetroot salad with crispy prosciutto and toasted hazelnuts. Roasted turkey is the queen of the table. Here, in the company of her, sausages, sage and buns are served along with mashed potatoes. For dessert, you will definitely be offered a chocolate cake and a special offer for the festive table - French tart tatin with spicy cream fresh. nine0005

Craft

A new restaurant created by real professionals. Tom Collicio has opened more than one stunning restaurant in New York that specializes in the so-called "new American cuisine". The menu here allows all guests to choose their own culinary adventure. The choice here is huge: protein-enriched dishes, a range of pleasant and elegant vegetable dishes, and much more. Today's menu, of course, is an American family classic. Along with the traditional and beautiful turkey (who herself personally ran through the meadows), there is carpaccio with marinated quail egg and crispy onions, fried autumn vegetables in all sorts of variations, chocolate pudding and much more! If you care about the safety of your health and body, and also adhere to the rules of healthy eating, this restaurant will really be a discovery for you! Pumpkin Pie is a separate nomination for the culinary OSCAR.

Thanksgiving dinner baby food