First Meals (New Expanded Edition)
First Meals (New Expanded Edition)
From first purees and delicious snacks to tempt toddlers with tiny appetites to imaginative and nutritious meals that the whole family can enjoy. First Meals includes more than 150 fully illustrated recipes, all of which have been tested on a panel of babies, toddlers, and young children.There’s a popular game at baby showers in which the new mom-to-be has to taste jarred baby food and guess its contents. Inevitably, the first comment is “Yuk! How do they eat this stuff?” The answer, of course, is that babies don’t know there’s an alternative–fresh, delicious, wholesome food made at home. In the beautifully and extensively illustrated First Meals, Annabel Karmel explains how simple and satisfying it is to make baby’s food yourself–from the earliest mashed banana and steamed carrot purees to Singapore Noodles for 3- to 5-year-olds.
Karmel begins with an extensive section on early nutrition, pointing out that while grownups are often encouraged to follow a high-fiber, low-fat diet, “the under 5s need significantly more fat and concentrated sources of calories and nutrients to fuel their rapid growth during the early years.” Continuing her “Basics” chapter are sections on keeping a well-stocked pantry; the equipment you’ll need; illustrated, step-by-step instructions on preparing your first purees; and notes on freezing and reheating food. Close-up views of spoonfuls of puree are especially helpful for nervous first-time chefs. Chapters of recipes and feeding information are then broken down by age–4-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, 18 months-2 years, 2-3 years, and 3-5 years, with each chapter addressing the particularities of the given age (questions about starting solids are answered for parents of 4-6-month-olds, while maintaining a healthy and varied diet and packing lunches are the concerns for the preschool child), along with 20 or more recipes appropriate to the child’s level.
First published in England, the book has been “translated” well–ingredients are measured both in cups and in grams, and while there might be more parsnips called for than one normally sees in a North American diet, nearly every ingredient is obtainable at your regular supermarket. Karmel is up-to-date on the most recently accepted food recommendations as of 1999–she advises families with food allergies to avoid peanuts until a child is 3 years old, and while she cooks with cow’s milk after 9 months, she doesn’t recommend offering it in a cup until baby has reached his first birthday. Most importantly, she preaches a gospel of variety and of fun at mealtime. Cheesy Pasta Stars are made with tiny “stelline” pasta, and homemade Chicken Nuggets (made with grated apple and parsley in the breading) are formed in the shape of hearts–enough to break down the barriers of any picky eater. Stuffed Baked Potatoes become sailboats with cheese triangle sails and red pepper flags, and “Mock Fried Egg” looks just like the real thing–except it’s vanilla yogurt with half an apricot on top! So trust your taste buds and leave those jars at the store–Annabel Karmel’s First Meals will inspire you in the kitchen and leave your kids pounding the table for more. –Rebecca A. Staffel
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Recipes too Complicated and Time Consuming
I bought this product after reading the reviews regarding how complicated the recipes were thinking that how much time and effort could baby food recipes take. After reading through the book, you realize that in order to make many of the receipes you need lots of spare time to food shop, prepare and cook. All unrealistic given the time constraints of caring for a 12 month old and working part-time.
Also, the recipes call for taking time to make food look “cute” and eye-catching, even recipes for older babies and young toddlers. Children that young don’t care that the veggies are shaped like animals, flowers, etc. The presentation called for in the recipes is over the top.
Lastly, some of the recipes call for foods and spices that I wouldn’t think to give a young toddler.
Overall, this book has unique receipes, but the recipes are not as simple, quick and easy as they could/should be. I wouldn’t recommend buying this book. Instead, think of some of the other less complicated cook books.
2 Stars Disappointed
I order this book and I am very disappointed. I don’t considered using vegetable oil or frying anything healthy. Also the recipes are time consuming. The pictures are nice and all of the shapes they make out of the food but lacking substance.
2 Stars Only for ambitious and experienced cooks!!!!
I’ve been cooking family sized meals since I was in junior high school and have always been very interested in the culinary arts, so I’m a bit more experienced in the kitchen than my wife.
She bought this book thinking it was “quick, easy, healthy” meals. What she found was a huge pile of frustration and angst with every recipe she’s tried.
The estimated times to make most of these is severely underestimated. They also don’t consider any “sit time” I don’t know what planet the author is living on, but on planet Earth, that “Beef Croquette” dish took over an hour, not the 10 minutes they listed.
I’ve had to step in several times to repair the meal and my wife’s self esteem. These are NOT recipes you should be trying unless you know the difference between a food mill and a chinois, a mandolin from a mezzaluna.
Even then, I’m not so sure these meals are all that healthy. Lots of pan frying, which to me is the same as deep frying. No real attempt to reduce sugar intake in these recipes. I think you’d do better by buying a Rachel Ray cookbook and shopping at Whole Foods.
We’re very disappointed. By the way, our kids didn’t like any of the stuff from this, and they love tacos, scallion pancakes, miso soup, MaPo tofu, plain yogurt, stuffed grape leaves, and lots of other unusual dishes.
5 Stars Very Helpful
I really like this book. It goes over all of your questions you would have from first weaning your baby to making their first purees. I’ve made several of the recipes and my son loves them all.
5 Stars ready to go
Hope this will be helpful in feeding my new grandson this fall. Looks great and explains everything without being preachy.
Filed under: Parenting Advice Book Reviews