Little Ones' Recipes: Aubergine Purée for Baby

Introducing aubergine into your baby's diet is an excellent way to diversify their meals and bring new flavours to their palate. Aubergine purée for baby is not only simple to prepare, but also a nutritious dish that will delight their taste buds whilst providing real benefits for their health. Today, discover how to prepare a delicious aubergine purée recipe specially designed for the youngest eaters.

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

First, here are the ingredients you will need to gather:

One or two aubergines, depending on size

A little water or salt-free stock

Optional: a pinch of cumin or thyme to enhance the flavour

In terms of equipment, make sure you have the following to hand:

A knife and a chopping board

A peeler to peel the aubergine

A blender or food processor to blitz into a purée

A steamer if you opt for steam cooking

Preparing the Aubergine

To prepare the aubergine, proceed as follows:

Wash the aubergine thoroughly under cold water and pat it dry with a clean cloth.

Using a peeler, carefully peel the skin from the vegetable. You can also use a knife for this step if you are comfortable with that technique.

Cut the aubergine in half lengthways and remove the seeds using a spoon or knife. This step is optional, as some people prefer to leave the seeds in.

Then cut the aubergine into small, uniformly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Cooking the Baby Aubergine Purée

There are several methods for cooking aubergine. The healthiest is steaming, which best preserves the vegetable's nutrients. You can also choose to boil it or cook it en papillote in the oven, depending on your preference and the equipment you have available.

Steaming the Aubergine

To steam the aubergine, place the vegetable pieces — including the seeds if you have chosen to keep them — in the basket of the steamer. Cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, checking for doneness regularly with the tip of a knife.

Boiling the Aubergine

If you prefer this method, bring a pan of water (or salt-free stock) to the boil. Add the aubergine pieces and leave to cook until the vegetables are tender (approximately 10–15 minutes). Once cooked, drain them well to remove any excess water.

Cooking the Aubergine En Papillote in the Oven

This method involves wrapping the aubergine pieces — and seeds, according to personal preference — in a sheet of baking paper, forming a tightly sealed parcel. Cook in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 20–25 minutes, until the vegetables are meltingly tender.

Blending and Seasoning the Purée

It is best to prepare the purée whilst the aubergines are still warm: place them, cut into small pieces, into the blender or food processor and blitz until you achieve a smooth, even texture.

To add a little more flavour to the purée, you can stir in a pinch of cumin or thyme before blending. Be careful to add spices in moderation so as not to overpower the delicate taste of the aubergine.

Storing and Serving

Serve the aubergine purée warm to your baby. You can also store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 48 hours, or in the freezer for up to three months if you wish to prepare portions in advance. In that case, do not forget to label the containers clearly for better organisation.

With this easy aubergine purée for baby recipe, you will offer your child a delicious and healthy culinary adventure, packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Enjoy to your heart's content!