Chicken Nuggets and Veggies

(1 person + baby)

Ingredients
* 3-5 Chicken Nuggets  (For Veggie option try MorningStar brand Chicken Nuggets)
* 1/2-1 cup Frozen Broccoli  (fresh is always a good option, though will need to be cooked

                                            separately)

* 2-3 Yam Patties  (Wal-Mart carries frozen yam packets in veggie aisle)

Step 1:  Place all items on microwaveable plate.  Microwave about 3-5 min. (depending on your microwave).  Rotate items every 45 sec. or so.

Step 2:  Let cool off for a minute or two.  Cut yam(s) into smaller pieces, and broccoli if need.  Serve.

Options: Be more healthy and choose organic chicken, fresh broccoli, baked sweet potatoes.

             Cooking styles will have to vary accordingly.

Couscous Salad

(2-3 people + baby + extra)

Ingredients
* 10oz box of couscous
* 1 medium tomato
* 1 small cucumber
* parmesan (or mozzarella--if used, it can be shredded or in cubes)
* fresh basil (3-5 small leaves)
* sea salt
* grapeseed oil (or olive oil)
(Option: any vegetable, or even fruit, can be substituted)
(Option: add chicken kabobs if baby is old enough)

Step 1:  Boil about 2 cups of water.  Remove water from heat; add couscous.  Let sit, stirring (fluffing) every 30-60 seconds or so.  Fluff for about 5-10 minutes.

Step 2:  Dice the tomato.  Dice the cucumber.  (Skin tomato and cucumber if appropriate.)  Add tomato and cucumber to couscous; mix.

Step 3:  Drizzle oil over couscous--just enough to cover couscous and veggies/fruits.  If your baby is old enough, add a couple pinches of sea salt, to taste.  (You can always salt your own bowl.)

Step 4:  Cut basil; add to couscous; mix.

Step 5:  Sprinkle parmesan over couscous, enough to flavor; mix.  (Make sure couscous has cooled a bit before adding cheese, or it will melt too fast.)

Non-Crunchy Yogurt

(baby + extra for person serving baby)

Ingredients
* 3oz container of baby/toddler yogurt  (YoBaby/YoToddler is an excellent brand)
* handful of Cheerios  (or other non-sugary/non-granola/non-grapenut cereal)

Step 1:  Pour yogurt into a bowl.  Add Cheerios; mix until Cheerios are evenly coated.  Let sit for a few minutes to let Cheerios get soggy.

Step 2:  Option 1--Serve baby with spoon.
             Option 2--Serve the coated Cheerios on a placemat/tray in front of baby, for self-feeding

Almost-Plain Pasta

(2-3 people + baby + extra for later)

Ingredients
*1 box pasta (radiatore or elbow or other shape)
*grated parmesan cheese (one canister with shaker top)
*wheat germ (one jar with a spoon, or you can shake it out)
*grapeseed oil (or olive oil)
(Option: add salt to boost flavor--this is only suggested for older children/adults, after pasta is on personal plate--but go according to your family's diet)

Step 1:  Heat pot of water to boil; add box of pasta.  Cook to al dente or softer (depends on your preference and baby's ability to chew)

Step 2:  Drain pasta; put pasta in bowl.  Drizzle grapeseed oil over pasta and toss (add just enough to barely cover the pasta--all this ensures is that the pasta doesn't stick together).  Repeat process with wheat germ.  Repeat process with parmesan cheese.  (Add more or less wheat germ/parmesan cheese according to your taste.)

*This is considered a base dish--to go with veggies and/or a meat.  However, this can always be eaten by itself, if your baby/child is a picky eater.

Asian Asparagus Tortellini

(for 2-3 people + 1 baby)

Ingredients
*1 bag tortellini
*1/3 to 1/2 bag frozen asparagus stir-fry (fresh veggies may always be added/substituted)
*3-5 Tb of teriyaki sauce (or other stir-fry sauce--check ingredients!)
*1-2 Tb of grapeseed oil
(Option: Add meat if baby is old enough)
(Option: Substitute with radiatore-or other-pasta, to make it vegan)

Step 1:
Heat pot of water to boil; cook tortellini to al dente or softer.  (how soft you want the noodles depends on what you like and how many teeth the baby has)

Step 2:
Remove pot and set to side.  In a skillet, add the grapeseed oil and veggies.  Let the veggies simmer as you drain the tortellini.  Add the tortellini to the skillet, leave on top of veggies for a few minutes (esp. if you are using frozen veggies).  Add sauce and stir until pasta and veggies are coated (only add enough to just coat them, you don't want to the overdo flavor for the baby--you can always add more to your personal plate later).

Step 3:
Remove skillet from heat.  Scoop out a serving for the baby first, so it can cool.  Cut pasta and veggies into more appropriate bite sizes for your baby.  (Beware, the pasta can be a little slippery, so even for older babies, cutting the pasta so that it's easier to grip--though messier--may be a good option.)