Combination 2.0

Just a list of some new combinations we've tried and how they have gone over.

Broccoli, Beans and Ham (2 cubes broccoli, 1 cube beans and 1 oz ham)
Ratings:
Seren - 3 stars
Kendall - 3 stars

Butternut Squash and Broccoli (3 cubes squash and 1 broccoli)
Seren - 4 stars
Kendall - 3 stars

Carrots and Parsnips (2 cubes carrot and 2 cubes parsnips)
Seren - 4 stars
Kendall - 4 stars

Yams, Beans and Ham (2 cubes ham, 1 cube beans and 1/2 oz ham)
Seren - 4+ stars
Kendall - 4+ stars
*they LOVED this...they were whining and wiggling for more

Yams and Beans (2 cubes of each)
Seren - 4 stars
Kendall - 4 stars

Mango and Blueberry (2 cubes mango and 1 cube blueberry)
Seren - 3 stars
Kendall - 3 stars

*to be continued......(keep in mind my mixing ratio is for two kiddos so you can shrink it down)

Batch Day

I decided to have a "batch day" a few days ago.  I made the rest of my organic purchases:  pears, apples and acorn squash.  The process for apples and pears were the same as before.  The acorn squash was done the same as butternut squash with the exception of time cooked being 1 hour (I would reduce this to 45 minutes in the future or cover them with foil as my skins were charred thus browning some of the squash).

 *88 ounces of home made goodness*

*fridge is stacked full*

Batch Schedule
9:25 am - 10:00 am  
Acorn squash prepped and put in the oven
Pears prepped, boiled and pureed
Apples prepped and left to boil on the stove for approx 15 minutes (I pulled it to cool but didn't count the cook time on my schedule as I was out of the kitchen feeding babies)

10:30 am - 10:40 am
Pulled squash from the oven to cool
Pureed apples

11:10 am - 11:45 am
Dispensed pears into ice cube trays
Dispensed apples into ice cube trays
Dispensed acorn squash into ice trays
Kitchen Clean Up

Total Time Spent : 80 minutes
Total Ounces Made:  88 ounces

Cost Comparisons:
*Apple and Pear added to the prior posts

Organic Acorn Squash

Prep/Cook time:  prep 10 minutes and cook 45 minutes
Cost:  $2.98 for 2.16 lbs (one medium to large squash)
Cost Comparison: $0.10 per ounce (vs $0.13 per ounce with Beech Nut and $0.16 per ounce with Gerber; non-organic types) *some say that FDA regulates baby food to have no pesticides or chemicals also so buying organic for this reason alone may not be necessary*

Ratings:
Kendall - 4 stars
Seren - 3 stars

Butternut Squash

Wash your squash and then cut in half length wise.  Scoop out the seeds and "squishy stuff" with a spoon (similar to a pumpkin).

Place face down on a cookie sheet or baking sheet with water.  Place in oven at 400* F for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours depending on size of squash (I did 1 1/2 hours for a somewhat large squash).

*I have to note that this a small cookie sheet (about half size)*

You'll know it's done when the meat of the squash is soft and starts to peel away from the skin.  Remove from the oven once cooked and allow to cool.  Scoop out the remaining contents from the squash (leaving the skin) and then throw it in a large blender and puree.  Dispense into ice cube trays and freeze.

Prep/Cook Time:  Prep 10 minutes Cook 1 1/2 hours
Servings:  45 oz for a large squash (3.18 lbs)
Cost: $4.61
Cost Comparison:  $0.10 per ounce (vs $0.13 for Beech Nut and $0.16 for Gerber)

Ratings:
Kendall - 4 stars
Seren -  3 stars