Instructions: Simmer pears, covered, in a large saucepan with 1/3 cup water until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain; reserve cooking liquid.

Transfer pears to a blender. Working in small batches, blend until smooth. Add reserved liquid if needed. Pass through a fine sieve for a smooth texture. For a coarser texture, mash with a fork.

Fill 1/4-cup plastic containers or ice-cube trays with puree.

This recipe yields 2 1/2 cups or about 28 cubes.

Comments: Remember to start with silky, smooth purees. You can work up to thicker textures as the baby gets older. If the puree is too thick, you can loosen it with breast milk, formula, or boiled water.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

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