Carrot & Broccoli Orzo

This dish actually includes chicken so it's a complete meal for your baby.

A little salt and I'm happy eating this myself.

Now don't rule out this dish just because the texture looks really chunky. 

First off, all of those chunks are really soft, allowing your little to mash it in their mouth.

Also remember that you can always puree your dishes to a consistency that works for your baby.

Left to right in the picture you see:

The original recipe,

After it's been pulsed a few times in a food processor

and blended to a smooth puree.

You can always make these recipes work for your little.

My apologies for the lack of preparation photos... I got caught up and didn't take them.

Oops!

Carrot & Broccoli Orzo (with chicken)

1/2 cup orzo

1 lb carrots, about 5 medium, peeled and sliced into rounds

2 cups broccoli florets

4 oz chicken breast, or 1/2 cup cooked diced chicken

Place your broccoli in the steamer with about an inch of water in the bottom of the pot.

Steam the broccoli until the stems are fork tender, this took me about 15 minutes.

They should be tender enough to mash with your fingers.

Remove the steamer basket but keep the water.

Run the hot broccoli under cold water (or submerge in ice bath) to stop the cooking.

Cut the broccoli to remove the florets like this, keeping the stems.  

Place the florets in a medium bowl and the stems in the food processor.

Place your carrots in the steamer, 

using the same water you used to steam the broccoli, adding more water if needed.

Steam until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes depending on the size.

Meanwhile, boil 1/2 cup of orzo until it's soft.

Remember that you don't want al dente for your baby, you want it mouth-mashable.

I cooked mine for about 15 minutes.

Drain when done and set aside.

When the carrots are done and cooled slightly

 you can add them to the broccoli stems in the food processor, 

keeping the water to cook your chicken in.

Add your chicken to the boiling water.

When the chicken is cooked all the way thru, add it to the food processor and puree.

You'll need to add some of the cooking liquid as you want the puree to be thinner than usual.

This is going to make your "sauce".

Pour the cooled puree into the medium bowl with your florets and stir in your orzo.

Enjoy!

Peanut eating "little trees" as a snack

*Variations

-Try this with a number of different veggies like cauliflower, asparagus, squash, or green beans

-Leave the chicken out or use another meat like turkey, beef or pork

-Substitute the orzo with another pasta, Mediterranean couscous or a grain

-Add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro or even dill

*Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

When reheating make sure to heat all the way thru and allow to cool for your little.

*Benefits

Carrots have loads of different kinds of carotenoids which work as antioxidants, convert to vitamin A,

boost the immune system and protect and enhance your eyes.

Broccoli is known as having cancer fighting properties, lots and lots of cancer fighting properties
as well as protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamins C & A, folate,
magnesium, phosphorus and beta-carotene.
So good for you.

Chicken is a great source of lean protein.
It also provides potassium, phosphorus, niacin, calcium, iron, selenium and zinc.

Orzo may not be a nutrient powerhouse but it does provide your baby with some needed carbs, fiber, protein and iron.  There is nutrient-enriched orzo as well.

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