2.-food2

Wonder chef Annabel Karmel shares her top easy and healthy recipe that turns children’s food into gourmet treats – getting them to eat their nutrients will be a cinch with this delight…

Salmon and Broccoli Puree | Suitable for babies six months plus

Include oily fish like salmon in your baby’s diet a couple of times a week. This is great brain food and provides essential fatty acids, which are important for brain development. A baby’s brain triples in size in the first couple of years. Many children grow up disliking fish as they find it bland and boring, so mix it with stronger tastes like cheese. If fish is overcooked, it becomes tough and tasteless. It is cooked when it just flakes with a fork but is still firm.  Microwaving or poaching fish is a good way to cook it. Always check very carefully for bones before serving.

Ingredients

  • 75g salmon fillet, skinned
  • A small knob of butter
  • 50g broccoli florets
  • 15g butter
  • 15g flour
  • 200ml milk
  • 20g gruyere cheese, grated
  • 2tbsp  parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2tbsp  mascarpone

Method

Put the salmon in a suitable dish and dot with butter. Cover with cling film, leaving an air vent and microwave for about one and a half minutes. Meanwhile steam the broccoli florets for about four minutes.

To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, then continue to stir over a low heat for three minutes until the sauce thickens. Take off the heat, stir in the gruyere and parmesan until melted, then stir in the mascarpone.

Flake the salmon and finely chop the broccoli and stir into the cheese sauce.

For young babies, puree using a hand held electric blender.

Information

Makes two portions of brain foods for children.

Recipe is available from Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner