Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with Latin music, delicious food and festive drinks. And your baby can join, too, with some slight modifications to traditional recipes. Here are a few adapted cultural recipes for you to try with your baby.
Tamale
Did you know that moist and soft tamales can be great for baby-led weaning (BLW)? In my BLW courses, I teach about how you can safely offer cultural foods to babies. Since most tamales are made of ground corn filled with savory fillings (shredded meats + long, soft and narrow strips of vegetables or cheese), the textures are great for self-feeding. Here are a few expert tips for tamales:
- Deconstruct the tamale by opening the husk. Use the ezpz Baby-Led Weaning Food Cutters to cut the tamale into strips or cubes and serve it in the Tiny Bowl.
- Some tamales have an olive hidden in them, which may also include a seed. Be sure to remove the seed and cut the olive into quarters before offering it to your baby.
- Be sure to steam the tamale to keep it moist and soft. Microwaving can make the tamale crunchy and dry, which can be a choking risk.
Horchata
Horchata is a traditional Mexican milk-based drink that is flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and almonds. You can make a baby-friendly version that will expose your baby to new flavors and temperatures from either a cup or a popsicle!
Ingredients:
Breast milk or formula
Vanilla
Almond slivers
Cinnamon stick
Directions: Start with an ounce of breast milk (or formula) and our it into the ezpz Tiny Cup or Tiny Pop mold. Add a drop of vanilla for a subtle, comforting flavor. Take a few almond slivers (*) and pulse them in a coffee grinder or food processor until finely ground. Sprinkle a pinch of the almond powder into the liquid mixture. Next, place a cinnamon stick into the mixture and let it steep for a few minutes to infuse the taste. Remove the cinnamon stick. If you're using the Tiny Cup, serve the horchata to baby. IF you're using the Tiny Pops, freeze for 2+ hours then serve. Yum!
*Almonds are a tree nut, so this is a potentially allergenic food for your baby.
Guacamole
Guacamole is a colorful, thick puree that is perfect for practicing baby-led spoon feeding. It is also a festive Cinco de Mayo treat that the whole family can enjoy together!
Ingredients:
2 avocados
1 small onion finely chopped
1 small tomato chopped
½ lime (juiced)
Pepper to taste
Directions: Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the insides into a bowl. Stir in the onion, tomato and lime juice. Season with pepper and serve in the Tiny Bowl. Preload the Tiny Spoon with guacamole and allow your babe to place the spoon into their mouth. Note - you can purchase the Tiny Bowl, Tiny Spoons and the Tiny Cup together with the bundled First Foods Set.
Pinto Beans or Black Beans
Beans are a staple in the baby-led weaning community, and they are the perfect food for establishing the pincer grasp. Beans are also easy to prepare and provide nutritional value for baby. Score! Here are a few expert tips for introducing pinto or black beans:
- It’s totally safe to offer your baby canned pinto or black beans. Once you open the can I recommend rinsing the beans. This removes some of the added sodium as well as the slimy texture. Then place a few beans in the Tiny Bowl. Use your index finger to squish them, as whole beans can be a choking risk.
- Freeze the remaining beans in an ice cube tray, or store them in the Tiny Bowl + Tiny Bowl Lid.
I hope these feeding tips and recipes will help you and your baby celebrate Mexican culture one spoonful at a time! #ezpzfun
