quick question for anyone who made and froze baby food

i am making baby food from a bounty of sweet potatos. do i bring the baby food to room temperature before putting it in the freezer, or do i put it in the freezer while it's hot?

also, any other tips you have for me?

thanks!

 

I let mine cool before I closed the lids then put them in the freezer. I have them in 4 oz plastic containers. If you're using ice cube trays I don't think it would matter.
I was sure my sweet potatoes were pureed enough but there was still a lump here and there so really give them a good go with the food processor. I read in my baby food making book that the nutrients from carrots are better absorbed with a small amount of fat in it so I added a tiny bit of butter to mine.
I used frozen baby peas and steamed and then pureed them.
For fruits I bought canned in water (peaches and pears) and I pureed them. I bought unsweetened appleasauce but I found it pretty tart so maybe get some apples that are naturally sweeter for it.
I sure feels nice when you are done! Have fun.

 

I used to make tons at a time and place them in clean washed baby food jars, then freeze the jars. Because I was putting them in glass, I would bring it to room temp first, in case it shattered. If you are using a plastic container, it shouldn't matter.

 

I made all their food for the first year, this book was very helpful.
http://www.superbabyfood.com/
Good luck, I found it was well worth my time and effort and i enjoyed doing it! ( and I am so not a cook by any means)
Tracy

 

Yes, always let the food cool before freezing. Its for safety of the food or else it breeds bacteria. I made my food until they were eating table food. Its well worth it!

 

I have also read that food needs to cool before freezing regardless of what method of storage you are using. That's what I've always done.

 

I let it cool before freezing. wholesomebabyfood.com is a great reference!

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Mar 30 2008, 07:37 PM) [snapback]695633[/snapback]
I let it cool before freezing. wholesomebabyfood.com is a great reference!


Ditto, and just a word of warning, I once put steaming hot veggies and water in the blender (which was plastic) and it cracked! Now I let the veggies/whatever cool a bit before pureeing.

 

I usually cool my sweet potatoes before I blend them, i think it blends nicer plus I usually don't ahve time when I have time to cook them. Then it is cool and ready for the freezer.

 

I just started and use plastic containers and made sure they cooled before storing. Also baking or steaming the veggies before pureeing holds the nutrients as opposed to boiling or microwaving.

I also labeled them with the veggie and the amount. I didn't use the date because I know I will use them within a month!

 

I always let the food cool before placing it in the freezer. Otherwise water droplets will form inside the container and turn to ice. Then it will dilute the baby food. I would store the baby food in the 2-4 oz. clear plastic containers that Gerber makes their baby food in. That way I know exactly how much is in each portion and the plastic containers are easy to clean. I would also stack them all inside a Ziploc to help prevent freezer burn and then label the Ziploc bag with the date.