As first-time parents, we found ourselves utterly bewildered when our Little Boss suddenly turned her nose up at porridge and demanded rice instead. The transition was a curveball we hadn't anticipated, especially with our concerns about choking lingering in the back of our minds. At 12 months old, she was sporting just four teeth – two on the top and two on the bottom – making us even more apprehensive about her newfound food preferences.
Despite our best efforts, traditional porridge and purees were met with adamant refusal. It was a head-scratching moment for us. What were we to do? Well, we did what any modern parent would: we hit the internet in search of simple yet satisfying recipes to appease our little food critic.
If you find yourself stuck in a culinary rut, fear not! We've got two tried-and-true favorites that are sure to please even the pickiest of little palates. These go-to meals for our Little Boss are not only delicious but also quick and easy to whip up, perfect for busy parents on the go. So, without further ado, let's dive into our top picks that promise to satisfy hungry tummies without taking up too much precious time in the kitchen!
1. Breakfast Egg Muffin
One of the reasons we adore this recipe is its versatility – you can customize it to your heart's content! Our personal favorite twist involves tossing in some nutritious broccoli for added fiber and a sprinkle of cheese for that calcium boost. But the beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability. Feeling adventurous? Throw in some carrots for extra color and crunch. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination!
Recipe:
Base:
- 7 eggs
- 2 Tablespoon of Milk (when our Little Boss was below 12 months, we used milk out of her formula. You can use Breastmilk as well. Later on, you can use Fresh Milk!)
Broccoli + Cheese Add-Ins:
- 2/3 cup of finely chopped broccoli
- 1/2 cup of shreded Cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Prep: Preheat oven to 190 degrees. Heavily spray a muffin tin with a cooking spray. To get the egg cups out easier, use a silicone muffin tin or silicone muffin inserts.
Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt (above 12 months and if desired), & pepper (YES! Your Little Boss can consume pepper as early as 6 months old!) until well combined.
Add Ingredients: Evenly distribute the add-in ingredients (in this case Broccoli & Cheese) into each muffin cup, until they are half or 2/3 the way full.
Add Egg Mixture: Evenly pour the egg mixture into each muffin cup until each cup is roughly 2/3 full.
Bake: Place the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until eggs have firmed and tops are golden brown and bubbly.
2. 3-ingredient Banana Pancake
Another simple recipe when I run out of ideas! Totally easy, and totally with minimal effort.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 large egg
1 medium banana (with a few brown spots will be best!)
2 Tbsp of flour (whole wheat / white whole wheat / all-purpose)
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mash: In a medium bowl, mash the banana until very smooth with only a few lumps.
2. Add: Add in the flour, egg, and cinnamon (if using)
3. Mix: With a fork or whisk, mix until everything is combined.
4. Cook: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat, spray with cooking spray or add a little butter if needed. Drop one tablespoon of batter on the skillet and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sides are starting to become firm and the bottoms are golden brown. You will not see bubbles like traditional pancakes. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
There you go! 2 very easy simple recipes for busy parents like us.
If you would like to get more simple recipes, do drop us a comment and we'll look into it! Till next week!