How to Turn a Baby Purple

I've recently been exploring the French Foodie Baby blog.  It is a new obsession with wonderful recipes that are full of flavor.  Last night we made a variation of Romanesco and Purple Potato Salad.  It was so good that I ended up making a large portion of it for the adult dinner, too!  I had never heard of Romanesco broccoli before, and I haven't seen it at our local grocery stores either.  I used readily available Broccolini instead with great results.  It is fun to have new finger food options to try with Robert.  It is a mess, the dogs are getting fat, and we (Robert and I, not his dad!) love it.

Purple Potato & Broccolini Salad

Ingredients

• 2-3 purple potatoes (like Peruvian fingerlings)
• 1 bunch of Broccolini (you will only use some of this)
• 1 small shallot
• A few sprigs of fresh Dill
• A lemon slice
• A small portion of Smoked Salmon
• Olive oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Mustard

Directions

By the end, both cheeks and hands were
purple - and he loved it!

• Peal the potatoes, cut into small, bite size pieces
• Wash the broccolini and cut an equal volume as the potatoes into small, bite size pieces.  This way, there is approximately the same amount of green as purple in the dish.
• Steam the potato for 15 minutes.  After 5 minutes, add the broccolini in with the potato so it steams for 10 minutes.
• While they're streaming, mix up the dressing.  You can make this to taste, but I diced 1 small shallot, 5 Tbs of olive oil, 1 Tbs of vinegar, a small dollop of dijon mustard, and 2 chopped sprigs of dill.  This made enough dressing for the adult portion later on, too.
• When the Potato and Broccolini are done, let them cool slightly.  I expedited by putting them in the fridge for a few minutes.  Then I tossed with a small amount of the dressing.  
• Add small, bit sized chunks of salmon to the mixture.
• Squeeze the fresh lemon on top.
   

Christmas Dinner

We're spending Christmas with Nana and Granddad, who unfortunately is in a rehabilitation hospital after a serious infection this all.  He's not allowed out for the holiday, so we brought Christmas dinner to him and ate in a conference room in the facility.  Not the best Christmas ever, but certainly better than not seeing him at all!

Robert was pretty cranky after the travel, strange environment, and only two short 30 minute naps that day.  I brought a bottle and prepared myself to have one unhappy munchkin on my hands, though I tried to keep him as happy as possible my carrying him in our Ergo baby carrier while we sat down to eat and visit.  I didn't count on him watching me eat mashed potatoes, dressing, asparagus, and salmon with a ravenous, desperate look on his face.  Finally, in a weak moment, a put a little mashed potato on my fork and gave him a taste.

You would have thought I gave him baby crack.  He started craning around, desperate to get to my plate and get more.  Finally, I let him out and gave him to dad, who started giving him huge spoonfuls of mashed potatoes and salmon.  At six and a half months.  Did I mention these potatoes were loaded with butter and milk?  There was nothing to do at this point other than enjoy his absolute glee in eating these flavorful foods and hope for the best.  After about ten minutes, he slowed down and I was able to get him to take the bottle to at least have some fluid with this gargantuan, rich meal.

I wish I had pictures, or even better - a video, to show his excitement.  Unfortunately, he didn't poop for  two and half days after this feast, so we won't be repeating immediately.  I think the fatty fish and excess of dairy are a bit too much for him right now.