Sautéed Tofu Cubes

Use soft or silken tofu. Mash it smooth and stir into purées, or cut firmer tofu into finger-length strips a baby can grip in a fist. Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever you mix it with, so blend it with fruit or vegetable you have already introduced.

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.

Onion is usually a flavor base rather than a food on its own at this age. Cook it down until very soft and blend it into purées, mashes, or sauces. Raw onion is sharp and firm, so keep it out for now.

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.

Lemon is very tart, so it is usually a flavoring rather than a food on its own. Squeeze a little juice into purees, plain yogurt, or cooked vegetables, or stir a small amount of finely grated zest into a dish. Remove all seeds first and wipe baby's face afterward, since the acidity can redden delicate skin.