Yam Puree Food

CARROT AND YAM PUREE

Steps:

• In a saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add the carrots, yams, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 25 minutes. Using a ladle, remove 2 cups of the cooking liquid and reserve. Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture until slightly chunky, adding the reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cook's Note: The carrot mixture can also be drained in a colander and working in batches, blended in a food processor or blender.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert or a mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water doesn't boil away.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, slowly add the half-and-half, orange zest, orange juice, cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. With the mixer still on low, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Taste for seasonings and mix until smooth. Serve hot.

SILKY SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; heat to 425 degrees. Place potatoes on a foil-lined pan; bake 45 to 60 minutes, until tender. Peel when cool enough to handle.
• Puree with salt and pepper in a food processor. With motor running, gradually add milks through feeder tube, then butter. Process until silken. (Can make up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container.) Reheat and serve.

HOMEMADE PUREED SWEET POTATO BABY FOOD

Steps:

• Fill a small saucepan with water; add sweet potatoes. Bring water to a boil and cook sweet potatoes until tender enough to break apart with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer sweet potatoes to a food processor or an immersion blender cup, reserving the cooking water. Blend sweet potatoes until smooth. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup cooking water and blend until desired consistency is reached.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover potatoes with water. Bring to a boil; cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; puree in food processor.
• Add flavorings, if desired; puree. Maple-Butter: Add 2 tablespoons each melted butter and maple syrup. Serve puree with more butter and syrup. Orange-Ginger: Add 1/4 cup each milk and orange juice, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger. Lime-Cayenne: Add 1 tablespoon lime juice and a pinch of cayenne. Thin with a bit of cooking liquid, if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper; serve.