Tofu – that’s just for vegetarians, right?

Wrong.

Tofu is a highly nutritious food that, rather than being seen as just an alternative to meat, should be included in your baby’s diet on its own merits!

Tofu is part of the legume family. It is fermented soymilk curd – the process by which it is made compares to the way that cheese is made from milk. Tofu is a rich source of protein, calcium, iron, fibre and fatty acids – key components for good nutrition.

There are two basic types of tofu – hard/firm tofu, often used in recipes that needs a consistency which holds together well – and soft or silken tofu, generally used for desserts, smoothies, soups and sauces.

Fresh tofu has a sweet aroma when opened – any sour odour would indicate that it is stale and should not be used for your baby. It will keep for seven days in the refrigerator and should be placed in an airtight container of water. It is, however, essential that the water is changed on a daily basis. Tofu does not freeze particularly well – upon defrosting it becomes somewhat spongy in texture and appears discoloured.

You can introduce this versatile and healthy food to your baby once he/she is at least 8 months of age. (It is important, however, to be aware that soy is a potential allergen. When introducing it to your baby for the very first time, watch carefully for any signs of an allergic reaction. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stuffy or runny nose, watery or red eyes and wheezing. Should you ever suspect your baby is allergic to a particular type of food, then contact a medical professional immediately).

It is very easy to incorporate tofu into your baby’s diet because it has very little taste of its own. Instead, it absorbs the flavours of any foods it comes into contact with.

Initially, you could try blending tofu with cottage cheese or avocado, for a simple, nutritious meal. Soft tofu creamed with fruit would make a delicious dessert for baby. Alternatively, tofu can be cut into chunks and served to your baby raw, as a healthy finger food.

Taking into account tofu’s extensive nutritional properties, along with its versatility, it would clearly provide a very worthwhile boost to most babies’ diets.

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Baby showers announce the pregnancy of a new baby on the way. Guests invited to the happy event get to bestow and give gifts and in return the baby shower host gets to give back in providing a feast or banquet depending on your budget.

A lot goes into planning a baby shower party like organizing games, displaying gifts and arranging the seats if a sit down meal is on the agenda. Most importantly on the day of the baby shower celebration, is the food. Watch the guests on arrival see how their eyes are drawn to the table full of edibles.

Common recipes for an appetizing baby shower spread are (pizza sandwiches)
What you need if this popular tasty meal is go onto the table is flavoured Pizza sauce
Low fat Cottage cheese, English muffins and cheese (Parmesan)
Blend 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce with 2-3 tbsp of cottage cheese, spread the mixture on one side of the muffin, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and grill lightly until cheese melts. Serve.

Cheese Balls another favourite, ingredients required
lb grated cheese (cheddar)
1 pack cream cheese
4 oz Tabasco sauce
1tspWorcestershire sauce
2 onions
Finely chopped nuts
2 tsp chilli sauce

Stir and mix the ingredients together using a food mixer, keep the cheese at room temperature. All ingredients to be placed into small bowls lined with plastic wrap. Chill over night in the fridge. Remove the wrap when dishing up the cheese balls and sprinkle with nuts. Assorted crackers are best served with this recipe.

These are just a couple of popular recipes for a baby shower but there are other tasty measures that can be taken. Depending on the seasonal months should it be spring/ summer then it is a running buffet with plenty of running champagne to celebrate but if it is chilly winter and the only thing running is noses then it has to be a hot broth a sure way of warming up the party on the inside and out.

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Baby showers are generally organized by close friends, relatives, or co-workers of the expectant parents (because baby showers center on gift-giving, it is considered inappropriate for a family member to host such events).

In its early form, baby showers were held exclusively for mothers-to-be, and only women were invited to attend the party. In addition, baby showers were traditionally held only for the first child. Today, however, many people arrange baby showers for both parents, and they can now be also arranged for every succeeding children (even children who have been adopted).

Activities in a baby shower typically include games, special activies, presents, and, most especially, food.

Below are some of the most common baby shower recipes:

Pizza Sandwiches

Pizza sauce (can be store-bought or homemade)
Cottage cheese (lowfat)
English muffins
Parmesan cheese

1. Mix 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce with 2-3 tbsp of cottage cheese.

2. Spread the mixture onto one half of the English muffin.

3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

4. Broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve.

Creamy Tomato Soup

1 tsp vegetable oil
1 can tomato soup (condensed)
Milk
1 tbsp basil
Mozarella or croutons (for toppings)

1. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan.

2. Add the tomato soup.

3. Add milk (approximately the same amount as that of the tomato soup).

4. Add basil and cook slowly on low heat (do not boil).

5. Top with a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella and croutons. Serve.

Cheese Balls

lb cheese (cheddar or grated)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pack cream cheese
4 oz Tabasco sauce
2 tsp onion
Chopped nuts
2 tsp catsup or chili sauce

1. Mix all ingredients together using a mixer or a food processor (the cheese should be at room temperature).

2. Empty mixed ingredients on small bowls lined with plastic wrap.

3. Refrigerate overnight.

4. To serve, remove wrap and sprinkle with nuts. Serve with assorted crackers.

Chicken Puffs

4 tbsp butter
cup boiling water
cup flour
2 eggs
cup shredded cheese
2 cups cooked chicken
2 tbsp olives
2 tbsp wine
cup mayonnaise

1. Melt butter in boiling water.

2. Add flour.

3. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball.

4. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

5. Add egg and beat briskly until smooth.

6. Stir in cheese.

7. Scoop 1 tsp dough into a greased baking sheet.

8. Preheat oven to 400F.

9. Bake the puffs for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and split.

10. Combine the remaining ingredients with the finely chopped cooked chicken, pimiento, and olives.

11. Fill each puff with 2 tsp of the mixture. Serve.

There are just some of the baby shower recipes, there are numerous others to choose from – from sandwiches & finger foods, to snacks and dips and sweets – appetizing, yet simple and very easy to prepare.

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