Cauliflower Puree with Optional Thyme is a nutritious first food, ideal for Stage 1 or Stage 2 weaning. This simple homemade baby food recipe combines the mild flavour and creamy texture of cauliflower with a hint of thyme for a wholesome introduction to first tastes. Easy to make and customise, this is a nutritious, smooth puree perfect for starting solids.
Benefits of cauliflower
Cauliflower is a great first food for babies. It’s packed with B Vitamins including Vitamin B and folate, as well as Vitamin K making it an extremely healthy vegetable [1]. As a cruciferous vegetable it has lots of Vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb iron [2] – crucial at this early stage of baby’s development! With such a mild taste, it’s an easy and beneficial food to introduce early to baby.
Ingredients in Cauliflower Puree with Optional Thyme
This homemade baby food recipe has a very simple ingredient list:
Cauliflower – This recipe uses a half a head of fresh cauliflower, cut into small florets. Don’t throw out the stem portion! I set them aside for broccoli/cauliflower rice.
Thyme – If you choose to include thyme in this cauliflower purée recipe, you’ll just need the leaves from one sprig.
How to make Cauliflower Puree
This simple puree is a really easy baby food to make. Cook and blend! Using a steamer basket and medium saucepan on the stovetop, steam the cauliflower florets until just soft. Then, add the thyme for a further minute. Once cooked, blend the mixture in your food processor or baby food maker with a small amount of added water.
Thermomixer? To steam the cauliflower, I use the simmering basket in my Thermomix. Steaming (rather than boiling) is a great way to preserve both taste and nutrients. The cooking time might vary depending on how small you’ve chopped the florets. Make sure you’ve cooked them until just soft, adding thyme in the final minutes. Then blend in your machine.
You’ll find the recipe card below, with ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both regular and thermo cooker methods.
First stage weaning or second stage weaning?
This cauliflower puree is ideal for both Stage 1 (around 6 months of age) and Stage 2 (around 6-9 months) of weaning baby. For first stage/younger babies, try offering this dish for the first time without the thyme and as a very smooth puree by mixing through a small amount of cooled boiled water, formula milk or expressed breast milk immediately before serving.
For second stage weaning/older babies, add the thyme, and increase the texture by blending/pureeing for less time. As baby grows and develops, you can progress to different textures from runny/smooth purees to chunkier mashed foods, to serving bite-sized pieces as you would for the family.
For more tips and recipes, check out this handy little guide to starting solid foods. It includes the best puree recipes to try when baby starts solid foods, and how to keep it simple for both you and baby!
Storing
Store Cauliflower Puree in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freezer for up to 1 month. I found that freezing different fruits and vegetables in individual portions was best, using baby food or silicone ice cube trays. Remember to be food safe when freezing, defrosting and reheating any baby food.
Once you’ve introduced cauliflower to baby, try progressing to this combination puree of Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrot. You can make it smooth or chunky as baby tries different tastes and textures.
This baby and toddler friendly Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole can also be pureed. Make it as a side dish for whole family meals, and share a portion (pureed, mashed or not) with baby. It’s a perfect recipe to start introducing baby to family food!
If you make this Cauliflower Puree with Optional Thyme please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing how my purée recipes work for you and your family! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more baby food recipes.
Best wishes on your weaning journey,
Chloe x
Cauliflower Puree with Optional Thyme
Category: PuréeTap or hover to scale
Ingredients
- 250 g cauliflower florets
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 500 g water
Instructions
- Steam the cauliflower florets and thyme (if using) in a steamer basket over a saucepan/pot with lid for 10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender.
- Using a food processor or blender, blend cauliflower florets and thyme (if using) with 1/4 cup of cooking liquid until you are happy with the consistency (Note 1).
Thermomix Instructions
- Put the cauliflower florets and thyme (if using) into the simmering basket.
- Pour the water into the mixing bowl. Insert the simmering basket and cook for 10 minutes, Varoma, speed 2, MC on.
- Remove the simmering basket, and reserve the cooking liquid in a bowl or jug.
- Put the cauliflower florets and thyme (if using) into the mixing bowl with 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid.
- Chop for 20 seconds, speed 7, MC on, making sure to increase the speed gradually to avoid the cauliflower immediately sticking to the sides of the mixing bowl. Scrape down the mixing bowl and lid, and repeat 2 to 3 times until you are happy with the consistency (Note 1).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
The Top 8 Health Benefits of Cauliflower, 2023, Healthline.
Cauliflower, 2023, Solid Starts Inc.
Homemade baby food, 2023, Raising Children Network Australia.
One Response
Your recipes are wonderful – just so good, tasty and most of all nutritious.