Earlier this year, I wrote about how to introduce your baby to herbs and spices, along with some purée recipes Zane especially enjoyed as a new eater. I feel like it’s a responsibility and joy in my life to continue exposing him to new tastes and flavor combinations, so I wanted to pass on some other herbed and spiced dishes he’s been loving lately. With the weather warming up, our cravings are changing and we are feeling especially inspired to get creative with how we’re eating. It’s the perfect time of year to experiment with seasoning differently – a fun change of pace for baby or toddler, as well as the whole family.

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One of these recipes is particularly well-suited for spring: a mint smoothie. Rising temperatures remind of smoothies, and this green version is mint-kissed and particularly refreshing after playtime in the sun. The spinach and avocado add nutrition and staying power, while just a little banana makes it sweet enough to balance out any vegetable taste. It’s also the perfect gateway to including mint in all kinds of fare, such as meatballs or sauteed peas.

A new favorite way to revamp yogurt with banana is to swap out our usual cinnamon for cardamom. Cardamom’s  sweet and aromatic, almost floral characteristics make this breakfast or snack a little special. It’s a powerful spice, so you don’t need much to get your point across. A pinch of cardamom is also delicious in rice pudding and banana bread, and it pairs beautifully with other spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. It is pictured above as whole pods and ground cardamom is used below.

We rely on eggs as a cheap, easy source of protein, so I’m always thinking of ways to switch up how we prepare them. Chives are a go-to, but lately I’ve been adding za’atar to our scrambled eggs and egg salads. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend traditionally sprinkled over labneh (a strained yogurt cheese), pita, and hummus that also works beautifully with vegetables, meat and, yes, eggs. One thing I love about spice mixtures is they are an easy way to add many flavors at one time. In this case, citrusy sumac, herby thyme, and nutty sesame seeds all add sophistication to a dish with little effort. While it’s probably a good idea to use a light hand when first introducing za’atar, it’s not as easy to overdo as cardamom.

I hope this inspires you to experiment in the kitchen. Exploring new and exciting tastes with your baby or toddler can be as rewarding as it is fun. Let the palate training continue!

Mint smoothie – Blend 1/2 c ice, 1/2 avocado, 1 c loosely packed spinach, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1/4 banana, and 1/4 c+ yogurt, milk, or water to bring to desired consistency.

Egg and za’atar – Add 1/2 tsp za’atar to 2 scrambled eggs or 2-egg salad. Alternately, sprinkle with a little salt onto a hard-boiled egg.

Banana and cardamom yogurt – Stir together 1/4 c whole milk yogurt, 1/2 banana sliced or mashed, and a pinch of ground cardamom.