Pears

Pears are an excellent first fruit. They are mild, not too sweet and super yummy! When I made Pearsauce for the first time I wanted to not only lick the spoon, but the blender as well. Here's what I do:

Start with 4 pears. After washing peel, core and slice pears. Place them in one layer in a saucepan with a steamer basket. Fill with enough water so that water is below steamer basket and not touching food. Steam on high with lid on saucepan for about 8-10 minutes. Test pears to see if they are done by piercing with a fork. They are done when very soft and easily pierced.

Let pears cool in pan with lid off until easy to handle. Puree in blender or food processor until smooth. Pears have a high water content and do not need any additional liquid.

Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze to make food cubes.

~Age - An excellent first food, 5 + months

~Yield - 6-8 servings (serving = 2 tablespoons or 1 frozen food cube)

~What to look for - Bartlett, Anjou and Bosc pears are all good varieties to choose from. Pears tend to ripen from the inside out, so a pear is ready when it is firm to the touch, but not too hard.

~Nutritionally Speaking - Pears provide both Vitamin C and Potassium.