Turkey in Mango Sauce

Cook ground or whole turkey fully until no pink remains, then purée it smooth or finely shred it and moisten with breast milk, formula, broth or a vegetable purée so it isn't dry. Turkey is rich in iron, and pairing it with a vitamin C food like mashed fruit or vegetables helps the body absorb that iron. Serve it plain with no added salt.

Choose a ripe, soft mango that gives when gently pressed. Peel it and remove the large flat pit, then mash the flesh smooth or offer a finger-length strip to hold and gum. Ripe mango squishes easily between two fingers.

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.

Use a splash of plain coconut milk to enrich a smooth purée, porridge, or vegetable mash. It adds creaminess and works well stirred into the food rather than offered on its own.

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.

Trim and wash leeks well (grit hides between the layers), then cook them until very soft (steam, simmer, or sweat in a little oil) and finely chop or blend them into a puree, mash, or sauce. The long fibers can be stringy, so cook them down and chop small rather than serving raw or in long strips.