Apricots for Baby Food

The Goodness of Apricots

Apricots are high in Beta Carotene (Vitamin A), Vitamin C and Lycopene. Just 3 apricots contain approximately 30 % of the USRDA for Vitamin A. This combination of nutrients is one of the best defenses against heart disease and some cancers.

Apricots for Baby Food - When can baby eat apricots?

Apricots are another great source of nutrition for baby. As with several other fruits, you may typically introduce them anywhere from 6 months old and older.

If you will be using Dried Apricots, try to find those that do not contain sulphurs such as sulphur dioxide. Some people are allergic to sulphurs and sulphurs tend to be high in sodium.

Nutrients in 1 cup of Apricots
VITAMINS Vitamin A - 674 IU Vitamin C - 3.5 mg Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .04 mg Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - .01 mg Niacin - .21 mg Folate - 3 mcg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.	MINERALS: Potassium - 91 mg Phosphorus - 8 mg Magnesium - 4 mg Calcium - 5 mg Sodium - 0 mg Iron - .14 mg Also contains small amounts of manganese, copper and zinc.

Your baby will love apricots served fresh and homemade. View some apricot baby food recipes and learn about the nutrients in apricots too.

How to select and store Apricots for baby food

Hooray! According to the EWG, apricots are not one of the "dirty dozen" foods that are most highly contaminated with pesticides - purchasing organic apricots is a personal choice.

Look for plump, fairly firm apricots with an orange-yellow to orange color. Fully ripe apricots are soft to the touch but not squishy. Apricots tend to be juicy and should be eaten as soon as possible.

Keep apricots cool to prevent over ripening. Store ripe apricots in the refrigerator where they may keep for up to a week. You may place hard apricots in a paper bag and let ripen for a day or two but keep in mind that apricots have are a greenish color will not ripen. To freeze fresh apricots, simply half the fruit and place on baking sheet until frozen. Then pack in a plastic freezer bag.

The best way to cook Apricots for baby food

You may bake apricots by halving, pitting and then placing in a shallow baking dish with water. This method brings out their natural sweetness and also helps retain nutrients.

You may also steam or boil apricots using a blanching method - add apricots to boiling water for a few minutes then take them out, run cool water over them and slip the skins off; you will still need to pit them.

Tasty Apricot Baby Food Recipes

Apricot Baby Food Recipes - Apricot Puree (using dried apricots)

1 pound dried apricots
2 c. white grape juice or apple juice
(plain water is ok but the puree may be a bit bitter-consider using ½ water or ½ juice is you disagree with the juices or if baby cannot have juice)

Bring juice (or water or the combo) and fruit to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Reserve any left over liquid to use for the puree
Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
Add the reserved liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree or
Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up

NOTE: puree will not freeze solid, but into slightly soft/slightly frozen cubes.

Apricot Puree

using Fresh apricots (fresh apricots for baby food is best.)

Baking Halve the fruit and remove pit, place "open" side down in a pan filled with 1 inch of water, bake at 400F until soft and tender or puckering of the skin appears.

Steaming Halve the fruit, remove pit and steam in an open pan of water until soft and tender - remove skins

Blanching Drop whole, cleansed fruits into a pan of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, until fruits are soft
Place fruits into a bowl of cold water and slip off the skins then cut and pit the fruit

To puree, follow Steps 4 through 7 above

Apricots & Naners

Add pureed apricots to baby's mashed bananas - you can then add this mix to baby's cereal if you wish. Try this with meats or yogurt too.(when age appropriate for your baby)

Apricot Cereal

Add pureed apricots to baby's homemade rice, oatmeal or barley cereal

Chicken and Rice with Apricots

Ingredients

1/2 cup (Brown/or Jasmine) Rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup apricots - sliced into small dices or slivers
1 boneless chicken breast

Directions

Combine all of the above ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until rice is soft, fragrant and a bit soupy.
Take out the chicken breast and cut into small pieces, transfer back to saucepan
Add more water if needed and stir frequently to stop sticking to the pot and add more milk or water if necessary. Cook an additional 15 minutes

Once the mixture is fully cooked, allow to cool for 10 minutes and then transfer to a blender or food processor. Puree or chop as needed for your baby's age and texture requirements. This makes a great finger food meal for older babies and toddlers alike.

Apricot Purée - Substitute for Oil in Cooking

Foods Good to Mix With Apricots:

Rice, Oatmeal, Barley and Mixed Grain Homemade Baby Cereals
Bananas
Avocado
Blueberries
Pears
Peaches
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Summer Squash - Zucchini, Yellow (Crooked Neck)
Chicken
Beef
Yogurt

Apricot purée is on the rise as the new substitute for oil or water in many high-calorie, high-fat recipes. Simply purée canned apricots in a blender or food processor until smooth. Unlike prunes (which can darken some baked goods) or applesauce (which may cause recipes to be watered down), apricot purée reduces the fat content and adds a touch of added flavor.