coconut milk

[TracyK]

is this ok to use in cooking for 8 mo? and if yes - any recipes??

I use tons of coconut milk (partly because I grew up in a country where was surrounded by them.)
A nice one for a baby would be curried dahl.
Fry an onion, add spices and garlic (others may not think this such a good idea but my dd was eating roughly what we did at this stage) then add red lentils. Stir a bit, then add tin of coconut milk and tin of tomatoes. Simmer gently for about 30 mins. adding more liquid if needed (which it will-lentils absorb a phenomenal amount.)

My ds would still happily eat this every day (me too, with addition of chillies, fresh coriander, rice and a cold beer!)

Also similar but with sweet potato and/or squash is quite delicious. Any veggies really but above most appropriate for a young baby.

what spices would you use?
ds is partial to tasty foods too - although maybe not too spicy - wouldn't look forward to those nappies!

Probably some cumin, bit of cinammon and some turmeric. Also probably add some garlic.
Bit later on a good curry powder would do it.
My kids happily eat everything we do, and we have taken them to 'exotic' countries at a very early age and never worried about them eating. (They are just as greedy as us!)
Really think that breastfeeding has a lot to do with it. They are used to the tastes through the milk. For example, I love lemons and my 4 yr old ds happily sucks on them!

mmmm..... moondog, can I come eat at your house??? Do you have a brand of curry powder that you would recommend, or do you make your own?

TracyK, you could also add a little bit of coriander. My dd loves red lentil curry, and any other curry, actually. Red lentils are great because they cook so quickly!

Welcome any time Maomao (would enjoy the company as am in remote part of Middle East!)
I don't make my own curry powder (although I'd like to have a go-time,time,time!). I think the best ready made ones are oil based rather than powder based (latter often like dust!).
I think Patak's are pretty good and easily available in UK at least.
Ditto Sharwoods.
Just make sure it is a paste and not a revolting cook in sauce full of thickeners and additives and God knows what else!

have absolutely no problem with garlic or spice in baby food. weaned the first 3 on them, weaning dts on them too. Thanks for the recipe with coconut milk moondog. Think I'll whip that up for the dts supper tonight.

Ooh, I just saw this recipe when I was searching for red lentil recipes. I have never cooked red lentils before, how much should I use?

IF you are steaming rice, replace some of the water with coconut milk. V. Popular in the Caribbean. Ditto if making rice pudding.

Will have to try that lentil recipe. I did not grow up with lentils but after seeing that recipe, I am ready to try.