Making Apple Baby Food Using a Kitchen Aid Food Strainer Attachment

I knew I would want to make our own baby food. Save money, no preservatives, ya da ya da. So, I thought it would be a great idea to have the Food Strainer Attachment for my Kitchen Aid Mixer I got last summer. My mother-in-law got it for me for my baby shower gift. Saturday I broke it out and put it to good use.

I started with 6 Granny Smith and 6 Golden Delicious apples.

Start by washing your apples and removing stickers.

 I let my apples dry while I took care of Jorja.

Then slice your apples and remove the core. My apple slicer broke so I used a good 'ol knife.

 Since it is over 100 degrees lately, I wasn't about to turn on my oven so I steamed my apples until they were tender. Be sure to save the water in case you need to thin your apple puree. The water has the nutrients in it.

 Then I set up my mixer. The big bowl catches the puree and the smaller bowl catches the peeling or "junk."

 The junk comes out the little whole at the end of the strainer attachment.

Next, feed your apples through the strainer. I decided to run the junk through again just to make sure I didn't miss out on any yumminess, but I don't think it made a difference. Some reviews said there was a lot of waste but I didn't think it was more than if I had peeled the apples to start with. 

Then you can separate your apples into ice cube trays, store them in the fridge or use at the next meal.

I have been using this website for most of my baby food questions.

 They are pretty comprehensive. They have lists of what babies should eat and when. How to cook, make, and store baby food and even menus for later on.

**A note on cleaning the mixer and attachments- do it RIGHT AWAY! **

**Do not let it sit for any amount of time or it will be very hard to clean. **

And now for some cute baby pictures...

 She LOVES green beans! Can you tell?

 She wasn't a fan of mush o' banana but she liked it in her little baby feeder thing. If you aren't familiar with these, the part in her mouth is mesh and as she bites, the juice or mush comes out. Great for teething because you can put a frozen piece of fruit in there to soothe their gums.

Here she is eating her first Popsicle. I refuse to let her have ice cream so this was a Grandpa pleasing treat. She liked it. Everything in moderation- right?!