Make sure you include some oily fish like salmon in your baby’s diet a couple of times a week. This is great brain food for kids and provides essential fatty acids which are important for brain development . A baby’s brain triples in size in the first couple of years. Many children grow up disliking fish as they find it bland and boring, so I try to mix it with stronger tastes like cheese. If fish is overcooked, it becomes tough and tasteless. It is cooked when it just flakes with a fork but is still firm.  Microwaving or poaching fish is a good way to cook it. Always check very carefully for bones before serving. Try this delicious brain food for kids...

Ingredients

75g salmon fillet, skinned
A small knob of butter
50g broccoli florets

15g butter
15g flour
200 ml milk
20g gruyere cheese, grated
 2 tbsp  parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp  mascarpone

Method:

Put the salmon in a suitable dish and dot with butter. Cover with cling film, leaving an air vent and microwave for about one and a half   minutes. Meanwhile steam the broccoli florets for about 4 minutes

To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook for one minute .  Gradually whisk in the milk, then continue to stir over a low heat for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.  Take off the heat, stir in the gruyere and parmesan until melted, then stir in the mascarpone.

Flake the salmon and finely chop the broccoli and stir into the cheese sauce. For young babies, puree using a hand held electric blender.

Information

Makes two portions of brain foods for kids