Baby Food -- Banana Peach Compote

Note from Cheri: The recipe, text and photo below are reprinted with permission from Feeding Baby: Simple, Healthy Recipes for Babies and Their Families by Joachim Splichal and Christine Splichal (2003, Ten Speed Press). Click here for more information about this must-have family cookbook and another great sample recipe. More on Baby Food! Click for the Fabulous Foods homemade baby food tutorial.

Appropriate for childen 9-12 months.

Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber and one of the easiest foods to prepare for your baby. This is best, of course, with fresh, ripe peaches.

Notes:
Purée for babies, depending on their ability to chew. For adults, serve this over granola for breakfast or with pound cake for dessert.

1/2 cup water 6 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 strip lemon zest (optional) 4 large fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and quartered 2 ripe bananas, cut into 1-inch cubes 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Makes 3 1/2 Cups In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a simmer, swirling the pan once or twice. When the sugar has dissolved, add the lemon juice and zest. Decrease the heat until the syrup is barely simmering; add the peaches and cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until the peaches are tender. Remove the pan from the heat and let the peaches cool in the liquid for 30 minutes. Remove the cooled peaches with a slotted spoon, and chop into small pieces and place in a bowl. With a wooden spoon, carefully fold the banana and yogurt into the peaches until blended. Serve immediately. Freeze leftovers that won't be eaten the next day.