Baby Health | Baby Foods Guide | Baby Foods Cooking and Recipes

Curry Spices for Baby Foods

In Indian cooking, we use spices, dried herbs and fresh herbs.

Avoid Salt, Red Chili peppers, Sugar, Jaggery, Honey, Spices herbs high in acids (lemon, lime, tamarind) for the first 12 months

Baby friendly spices

Cinnamon: Good for upset stomach, diarrhea, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, iron, manganese, calcium. Kills E. coli. Infant may be Allergic. Try with caution.

Cumin: Digestive tract

Cloves: Lessens irritation during teething. High antioxidants

Coriander / Cilantro: Reduces gassiness, stimulates appetite, Magnesium, Manganese, Fiber, Iron

Garlic: Anti-biotic, Antioxidant

Ginger: Good for tummy upsets.

Nutmeg: Soothes upset stomach

Peppermint: Stimulates digestion, helps with respiratory problems

Turmeric: Anti-biotic, Anti inflammatory, good for circulation. Curcumin antioxidant.

Dried ground spices

Dried ground spices can be introduced when the infant is 7 months old. If needed, the spices may be lightly sautéed in Ghee, mixture of Ghee and Canola oil, virgin coconut oil.

Examples are: Cumin, Coriander, Mustard, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger powder, Garlic powder, Onion powder.

Make sure Garlic Powder is NOT garlic salt, Onion powder is NOT onion salt.

Seeds

Seeds should not be introduced till the infant is 12 months old. The Tomatoes may be seeded and used at 10 months. Other dried seeds such as Cumin, Coriander, Mustard, Fenugreek may be sautéed or dry roasted and cooked in curries, but should wait till the infant is 12 month old.

Whole Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves, Kari Patta

Use whole herbs in cooking discard before serving: 7 months and up

Cilantro, Peppermint

Ground up : 8 months and up

Fried Curry Masala

At the age of ten moths, you can grind fresh onions, ginger, garlic, and tomatoes and fry in Ghee. I recommend to fry in half Ghee and Half Canola oil. This gives a nice blend of saturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids.

Thickeners

You can use Coconut milk as a thickener at the age of 8 months. You should wait till 12 months to use heavy whipping cream.

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