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Give tofu a try!

© Kristine Roberson

When your baby has reached 7 to 8 months of age, he is ready to give tofu a try. Tofu is a great food for babies because it can be creamed with other foods or cut into chunks and served as a finger food and offers a great nutritional boost. One ounce of tofu contains about 32 mg of calcium, 2.5 gms of protein and 1.7 gms of iron and no cholesterol. In her book, Super Baby Food, author Ruth Yaron recommends feeding your baby tofu at least every other day, and mixing it with cereal to make a complete, high-protein meal. The fact that tofu tends to have very little flavor, but takes on the flavor of the foods it is mixed with is a bonus for parents, too.
Tofu is classified as a part of the legume family. Also called soybean curd, tofu is made from soybeans, is white in color and has very little or no smell when fresh. It is available at most grocery stores in the produce section and sometimes in the refrigerated section next to the cream cheeses. Tofu often comes in little box packages and is covered in water. Once you get it home, I recommend taking the tofu out of its original container and into an airtight plastic storage container. Fill the container with water until the tofu is covered, and replace the water daily. If you are good to your tofu, it will be good to you for about a week. Any tofu older than a week should be tossed. Tofu can also be frozen, but make sure you cover it with water and then freeze.
There are two types of tofu - silken or soft, and firm. The silken variety is creamy and can be mixed in with cereal or pureed foods. Firm tofu can be sliced into chunks and fed as is to baby as finger food, or it can be fried, scrambled like eggs or even tossed into soups and salads. Below are some ideas to get you started:

Carrot Tofu

2 tablespoons silken tofu

1 serving of pureed carrot

dash of nutmeg

Blend the two ingredients together by hand or in a food processor, and add nutmeg. You can substitute the carrot for any of your baby's favorite vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, peas or green beans.

Fruity Tofu

Fruit of your choice - apple, pear, peach, apricot, mango, banana, etc

2 tablespoons silken tofu

Puree fruit with the tofu and serve. Try fruit combinations, such as peach and banana, or pear and apple. Or add a dash of cinnamon for a treat.