Easy Slow Cooker Apricots for Baby

If you’ve never cooked apricots into a jam or a sauce, you will be surprised at how sticky these little fruits are as they simmer.  This stickiness also carries over to when you try to puree the apricots.

If you plop some of this tasty puree down on baby’s tray, you’ll be able to see the curiosity as baby feels this new texture.

Apricots are great for helping to ease constipation. They can also be used as a thickening ingredient in recipes. Of all foods, apricots contain the highest levels of carotenoids, antioxidants that give the apricots their orange color and help protect the body’s cells and skin and eyes.  Good for baby, and good for the whole family, make some apricots today!

Slow Cooker Size: 4 quarts (3.8 l)

❄ Freezes well, but may be sticky or tacky in texture.
🍎Vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, copper, fiber

Print Recipe

These amazing apricots are suitable for: Age and Stage: 6 months+ | Stage One | First Foods and Beyond | 4-6 hours cooking

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) dried apricots (unsulfured)
  • 2 1/2 cups (570 ml) cold water
  • Dash of vanilla extract or pinch of ground ginger optional

Instructions

  • Place the apricots in the slow cooker and cover with the water.
  • If your baby is 8 months old or older, add the vanilla or ginger. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring after the first hour, or until the apricots have been reduced to a thick sauce. (They will be rather thick and sticky.)
  • Remove from the slow cooker and set aside to cool.

Notes

Preparation and Storage for Baby If the texture is appropriate for your baby straight from the slow cooker, set aside a portion or two for baby’s meal and feed after the apricots have cooled. Otherwise, place the cooled apricots into a blender or food processor and process to a texture that is appropriate for your baby. Pureeing apricots can be tricky due to the texture, so you will probably have to add water, formula, or breast milk to reduce them to a thin puree for beginner eaters.

For the Family - Set aside a portion of apricots to add to any chicken or pork dish or mix into breakfast cereals. You can also add additional vanilla to the apricot puree to give it more flavor. Apricot puree can easily be turned into a jam to spread over toast or muffins.

 

Bonus Recipe!

Print Recipe

Apricot Marinade

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pureed apricots
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • a squeeze of lemon
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil.

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together and marinate chicken breasts or pork chops for the family.

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