Everything you need to know about baby chicory puree: a treat to discover

In this article, we cover the preparation of baby chicory puree, a healthy and delicious dish that will delight your little one's taste buds. We present the necessary ingredients, the cooking method and the possible use of a suitable programme on your food processor.

The benefits of chicory for babies

Before getting into the recipe itself, it is worth looking at the benefits of chicory for babies. A low-calorie vegetable rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, chicory is ideal for offering your child a varied and balanced diet.

Promotes healthy digestion thanks to its fibre content.

Contributes to growth and strengthens the immune system through its vitamin A and C content.

Helps maintain good hydration in the body thanks to its high water content.

Supports bone development through its richness in calcium and phosphorus.

Ingredients for a successful baby chicory puree

When preparing baby chicory puree, here are the ingredients you will need:

2 chicory heads: try to choose fresh, organic vegetables if possible, as this will ensure a better quality product for your child.

1 potato: this will add a smooth, mild texture to the puree whilst toning down the natural bitterness of the chicory. Opt for organic potatoes as well.

Water or unsalted vegetable stock: do not add salt to the preparation straight away, as salt is not recommended for babies.

Fat (optional): to make the puree even smoother, you can add a knob of butter or a spoonful of olive oil.

The different steps of the recipe

Preparing the ingredients

Begin by washing the chicory heads and removing the outer leaves if they are damaged. Then cut off their base and the bitter core, and chop them roughly. Peel the potato and cut it into small pieces.

Cooking the baby chicory puree

Place the chicory and potato in a saucepan and cover with water or unsalted stock. Cook over a medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender and can easily be mashed with a fork.

Tip: to preserve as much of the ingredients' nutritional value as possible, you can opt for steaming. Use a pressure cooker, a traditional steamer or the steam basket of your food processor if it has one.

Blending and serving

After cooking, drain the vegetables, taking care to keep the cooking water or stock, then blend them using a hand blender or your food processor. Do not hesitate to adjust the consistency of the puree by gradually adding some of the reserved cooking liquid: the smoother the puree, the better it will suit babies just starting out on weaning. Finally, stir in the fat if you wish and serve warm.

Using a food processor to prepare baby chicory puree

If you have a food processor designed for babies' needs, you can prepare baby chicory puree very easily using the programme dedicated to steaming and blending vegetables. Simply consult the instruction manual or the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of liquid to add and the cooking time to follow.

Baby chicory puree: a dish to serve and pair according to age

To better adapt this recipe to your child's age, here are a few tips:

From 6 months: serve the puree well blended and smooth, gradually adjusting the texture according to your baby's taste preferences and progress with weaning.

From 8 to 12 months: you can optionally add a small portion of animal protein (minced white meat or a small piece of fish) or plant-based protein (such as red lentil puree) to enrich the meal and introduce even more flavours to your child.

From 1 year: do not hesitate to vary things by mixing chicory with other vegetables (carrots, turnips, pumpkin...) or adding mild spices (cumin, turmeric, paprika...).

Baby chicory puree is therefore an excellent option for familiarising your child with vegetable flavours and offering them a healthy, tasty dish that meets their nutritional needs.