Bok choy

For babies 6-9 months, cook bok choy until very soft—steam or boil for 8-10 minutes until you can easily mash it with your fingers. Separate the leaves from the thick stems and cook stems longer as they're tougher. Serve leaves as large, flat pieces (bigger than baby's fist) that they can grasp and suck on, or mash and mix with other soft foods.

• Steam bok choy until completely tender and mashable
• Serve leaves as large, flat pieces for easy grasping
• Mix mashed bok choy with iron-fortified cereals or purees
• Ensure stems are cooked until very soft and cut into long, thin strips
• Always test texture by pressing between your fingers before serving

For babies 9-12 months, cook bok choy until soft but with slightly more texture to encourage chewing practice. You can serve smaller pieces as their pincer grasp develops. Cut cooked leaves into bite-sized pieces (about pea-sized) and stems into thin, short strips that are easy to pick up and chew.

• Cook until soft but with some texture for chewing practice
• Cut into pea-sized pieces for developing pincer grasp
• Mix with grains like quinoa or rice for balanced meals
• Try sautéing with a little olive oil for added flavor and healthy fats
• Combine with proteins like tofu or shredded chicken

For toddlers 12 months and up, you can offer bok choy with more varied preparations. Cook until tender but still slightly crisp if your child prefers more texture. Chop into age-appropriate sizes and incorporate into stir-fries, soups, or as a side dish. You can also introduce raw, very finely shredded bok choy in small amounts if your toddler has good chewing skills.

• Incorporate into family meals like stir-fries and soups
• Chop into sizes appropriate for your toddler's chewing ability
• Offer both cooked and occasionally raw (finely shredded) versions
• Season lightly with herbs and mild spices
• Pair with dipping sauces like mild yogurt or tahini for fun eating