This bright Pea Puree with Optional Mint is a great first food when starting solids! It’s a really easy baby food to make, using frozen peas! Added mint gives another flavour combination for baby to try, and makes this pea and mint puree a tasty little side dish to family main meals – think roast lamb or fish and chips with minty peas. Yummy! This easy pea puree recipe is a great staple to have for when baby starts solids, and to transition to family foods.
➡️ JUST BEGINNING SOLID FOODS? See this baby purees guide for when to start weaning, what foods to give, how to make and store baby food, plus other tips and recipe suggestions.
➡️ LOOKING FOR MORE VEGETABLE BABY PUREES? For another simple baby food that can double as a family side, try this Sweet Potato Puree. It starts with roasting sweet potato chips before blending for baby, so is a great option for busy families looking to share meals, and to gently transition baby to family foods. Or, for another frozen vegetable winner, try this Corn Puree for baby!
Serving pea baby food early into solids
Who doesn’t love peas? My sister actually, who as a child would secretly spit them into a large vase my parents kept beside the fireplace. The mushy mess was only discovered when we moved house, and my parents went to pack the vase. She still doesn’t eat peas.
I, on the other hand, love them! And so in the hope that my children will too, I served them peas along with other green veggies from early into starting solids! Now 6 and 3, they still eat and enjoy peas 😄.
I always have peas in the freezer, so this Pea Puree with Optional Mint was a great saviour when I need a fast meal prepped for Baby LJ early into starting solid foods. This is such a quick recipe for homemade baby food, done 5 minutes!
Ingredients in Pea Puree
For this easy pea and mint puree recipe you will need:
Peas – Yes, I use frozen instead of fresh peas. We always have a bag in our freezer, and that’s what makes this baby food recipe super simple! No preparation needed, just steam, blend, serve. Perfect!
Mint – I love adding mint to this pea puree for the freshness it adds. Mint grows in abundance in my garden, and so I’m fortunate to just pick what I need. There’s something really satisfying about adding homegrown goodness to our meals. You only need small amounts for this baby puree, so if you buy mint and aren’t sure what to do with the remainder, freeze it for next time.
How to make Pea Baby Puree
Cook your peas however you normally would until soft, then blend. Easy! You can steam them in a steamer basket over a saucepan, or gently cook in the microwave. Then blend using whatever appliance you have on hand – a food processor, hand blender or baby food maker.
Scroll down to the recipe card below, to find exact ingredient amounts and full detailed steps for both regular and thermo cooker methods.
THERMOMIX PEA PUREE:
Thermomixer? I use my Thermomix to steam the peas, to set and forget. TOP TIP! When you put peas into the simmering basket make sure they are separated, and not frozen in a large lump. Otherwise, you’ll need to increase your cooking time. I learnt that the hard way! 😁 Once steamed, then blend.
First or second stage weaning?
Pureed peas are ideal for both Stage 1 (around 6 months of age) and Stage 2 (around 6-9 months) of weaning baby. This puree makes about 1 cup, so not a huge amount but generally enough for first foods.
For younger babies/first stage weaning, try offering this dish for the first time without the mint 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 older babies/second stage weaning, add the mint, and increase the texture of the pea mixture 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 (whole peas in this case, squashed!) as you would for the family.
This Pea Puree with Optional Mint is great on its own, or spread onto toast fingers when self-feeding or Baby Led Weaning (BLW).
Storing and reheating
STORING: If making ahead or as leftovers, store this homemade baby food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freezer for up to 1 month. Freezing different fruits and vegetables in individual portions, using baby food or silicone ice cube trays, is a great idea for quick meals and flavour combinations!
REHEATING: It’s best to defrost frozen puree portions in the fridge overnight. Then, from defrosted or fridge cold, reheat the puree in the microwave, covered, in short bursts until it’s steaming hot all the way through. Let it cool, stir well and remember to check the temperature before feeding baby. Always practice food safety when freezing, defrosting and reheating baby food.
If you make this Pea Puree with Optional Mint, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more baby food recipes.
Enjoy!
Chloe x
Pea Puree with Optional Mint
Category: PuréeIngredients
- 500 ml water
- 200 g frozen peas
- 12 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Place a steamer basket over a pot with up to 500 ml water water (keeping the water level below the basket). Bring the water to the boil over high heat on the stovetop. Add 200 g frozen peas and 12 fresh mint leaves (if using) to the steamer basket, cover with lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Steam for 5 minutes. Reserve the cooking liquid.
- Blend peas with 3 tbs of cooking liquid, using a food processor or hand blender, until you are happy with the consistency (Note 1).
Thermomix Instructions
- Put 200 g frozen peas and 12 fresh mint leaves (if using) into the simmering basket.
- Pour 500 ml water into the mixing bowl. Insert the simmering basket and cook for 5 minutes, Varoma, speed 2, MC on. Remove the simmering basket, and reserve the cooking liquid in a bowl or jug.
- Put the peas into the mixing bowl with 3 tbs of the reserved cooking liquid. Chop for 30 seconds, speed 7, MC on, making sure to increase the speed gradually to avoid the peas immediately sticking to the sides of the mixing bowl. Shake the lid a little before lifting it off, as there will be peas on top. Scrape down the mixing bowl and lid, and repeat 1 to 2 times until you are happy with the consistency, adding more liquid if necessary (Note 1).
2 Responses
This is a super convenient homemade baby puree to make when first starting solids. We always have frozen peas in the freezer, and it’s so quick to make! The mint adds a great flavour too.
Great idea to introduce peas.