Get the recipe: Kale with Lemon Baby Food (Puree & BLW)
Kale for baby? Absolutely! While kale has a reputation for being a little bitter, I've found two easy ways to make it a hit with little eaters. For a smooth puree, steam it with naturally sweet apples to balance the flavor. For baby-led weaning, simply sauté a large kale leaf until tender and let your baby explore it on their own. Both methods are great for babies 6+ months.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup kale, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the apples and then the kale into a steamer basket, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the apples are tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Place the cooked apples and kale into a blender or food processor. Add in the lemon juice. Turn on the blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes on medium. If the puree is too thick, add 1/4 cup of the reserved liquid at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Let cool slightly and then feed to your baby. Store the rest of the puree in the fridge or freezer for a later meal.
Notes
Age: 6+ months
For Baby-Led Weaning: heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add 2 tsp of olive oil. Add 1 cup of roughly chopped kale and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until the kale is just slightly wilted. Squeeze 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice over the kale and stir. Serve the kale to your baby in an age-appropriate way – either in chopped small pieces, as a whole leaf, or as a puree on a self-feeding spoon.
Storage: You can store the kale puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. You can store the cooked kale pieces in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Spices/Herbs: Adding spices to your baby’s foods is a great way to introduce more complex flavors at an early age. Some great spices and herbs to add to cooked kale are a pinch of mild curry, garlic powder, and cumin, or you can add in a pinch of chopped fresh parsley, chives, mint, and cilantro.
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