Weaning Recipe Sweet Potato Purée

WEANING RECIPE: SWEET POTATO PURéE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes on a baking tray and roast in the oven for around 45 mins or until a knife inserts easily into the flesh.
• Allow to cool a little, carefully peel off the skin, removing any hard bits and blitz in a food processor, with a splash of baby's milk, until smooth. You may need to scrape the sides of the bowl a few times to get a smooth consistency throughout.
• Serve one portion and divide the rest between small containers or ice cube trays and freeze.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert or a mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water doesn't boil away.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, slowly add the half-and-half, orange zest, orange juice, cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. With the mixer still on low, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Taste for seasonings and mix until smooth. Serve hot.

SILKY SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; heat to 425 degrees. Place potatoes on a foil-lined pan; bake 45 to 60 minutes, until tender. Peel when cool enough to handle.
• Puree with salt and pepper in a food processor. With motor running, gradually add milks through feeder tube, then butter. Process until silken. (Can make up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container.) Reheat and serve.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover potatoes with water. Bring to a boil; cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; puree in food processor.
• Add flavorings, if desired; puree. Maple-Butter: Add 2 tablespoons each melted butter and maple syrup. Serve puree with more butter and syrup. Orange-Ginger: Add 1/4 cup each milk and orange juice, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger. Lime-Cayenne: Add 1 tablespoon lime juice and a pinch of cayenne. Thin with a bit of cooking liquid, if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper; serve.

WEANING RECIPE: LENTIL & SWEET POTATO PURéE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a saucepan, add the coriander, if using and cook for 1 min. Stir in the lentils and sweet potatoes, then pour in enough water to just cover.
• Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 15 mins or until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
• Drain, then mash together. Stir through the yogurt, if using.