Pasta in Cauliflower Sauce

Cook pasta until very soft, well past al dente, and serve plain or with a smooth, low-salt sauce. Larger soft shapes like penne or fusilli are easy to grab; you can also mash it. Wheat pasta is a common allergen, so offer it on its own first. Enriched pasta adds iron and folate.

Steam, roast, or boil cauliflower until very soft, until a fork slides through with no resistance. A whole soft floret with its stalk gives baby a built-in handle to hold. You can also mash it or blend it into a smooth purée. Serve plain and warm, with no added salt.

Cook oats with plenty of liquid into a smooth, thick oatmeal. Use breast milk, formula, or water, and thin it as needed so it's easy to swallow. Iron-fortified baby oat cereal works well here too.

Garlic adds depth to early meals without any salt. Finely mince or mash a small amount and cook it soft into purees, mashed vegetables, beans, or sauces. It is a seasoning rather than a finger food, so a little stirred through a dish is all a baby needs. Skip raw garlic and whole cloves at this stage.

Stir a small drizzle of olive oil into a smooth purée or soft mash to add calories and richness. Use it as a cooking fat for vegetables or grains, or fold a little into the finished food just before serving.