Creamy Marinara with Hidden Veggies

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, ½ onion chopped, 2 garlic cloves sliced, 2 carrots chopped, 1 red bell pepper, chopped, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 28-ounce can no-salt-added plum tomatoes, undrained 1 cup Else prepared with 1 cup water + 4 scoops Else

1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add onion and saute until just softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute till fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes more.
2. Add carrots and pepper and saute another 4 minutes.
3. Add pumpkin puree, basil, oregano, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes. Lightly break up the canned tomatoes with a spoon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Working in batches, transfer sauce to blender and blend until smooth. Pour sauce back into the skillet set over medium-low heat, stir in the prepared Else, and heat a few minutes more.
5. Serve over your child’s favorite freshly cooked pasta.

Peaches and Greens Smoothie

1 cup Else prepared with 1 cup water + 4 scoops Else, ½ medium avocado - pit and skin removed, ½ cup packed baby spinach, 1 cup frozen peach slices, 1 tbsp hemp seeds

1. Combine prepared Else, avocado, spinach, peaches, and hemp seeds in a blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth.
2. Enjoy immediately. Older babies may like to sip their smoothie through a straw, while younger babies may prefer to spoon feed the smoothie.

Note: You can also transfer the prepared smoothie to an ice cube tray or other freezer-safe mold to make smaller portions for your baby. Freeze solid overnight, then transfer frozen smoothie cubes to a freezer-safe container or storage bag and store in the freezer up to 6 months. Thaw before serving to your baby.

Sweet Potato Blender Pancakes

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed), 1 cup Else prepared with 1 cup water + 4 scoops Else, 1 tbsp ground flax seed, ½ cup steamed and mashed peeled sweet potato (about ½ large sweet potato), ½ tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp baking powder, 2 pitted medjool dates

Cooking spray, for greasing the pan

1. Place oats in a blender and process until they reach a powder-like consistency.
2. Add prepared Else, flax seed, sweet potato, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, and dates to the blender and blend until smooth.
3. Coat a skillet or griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium and ladle 2 tablespoons of batter for each pancake onto the pan. Cook each pancake 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Check a pancake for doneness and repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve topped with nut butter, fruit, or your child’s favorite topping.

Else Hot Chocolate

2 cups filtered water, 8 scoops Else toddler formula, 2 tbsp unsweetened cacao powder, 1 tbsp + 1 tsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy-free variety if preferred), ½ tsp pure vanilla extract, optional

1. Combine water, Else, and cacao in a medium-sized saucepan set over medium-high heat. Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Heat mixture until simmering.
2. Add chocolate chips and maple syrup, stirring until chocolate is melted.
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, if using.
4. Divide hot chocolate evenly into mugs. Top with marshmallows or whipped topping, if desired, and enjoy warm.

Note: For a flavor twist, try adding 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite natural nut butter, such as peanut or almond butter, to the saucepan with the other ingredients.

Mac & Cheese Cups with Herby Bread Crumbs

1 cup Else prepared with 1 cup water + 4 scoops Else, ¼ cup frozen cauliflower rice, 1 small beet (use canned or store-bought precooked), ½ banana, peeled, ½ cup frozen cherries, Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional

1. Combine prepared Else, cauliflower, beet, banana, cherries, and cinnamon (if using) in a blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth. For a thicker smoothie, add a few ice cubes to the blender.
2. Transfer to a serving cup and enjoy immediately.

Chocolate Else Cream In A Bag

1-gallon size food storage bag, 2-quart size food storage bags, 4 cups ice cubes, ? cup salt

1 cup regular almond milk, 4 scoops Else toddler formula, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tbsp coconut sugar, ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Combine almond milk, Else, cocoa, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract in a blender and blend on medium-high speed until well-mixed and frothy.
2. Pour mixture into a quart size food storage bag. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Place this bag inside the second quart size food storage bag and seal.
3. Place ice cubes in the gallon size storage bag. Sprinkle salt on top of the ice cubes.
4. Place the bagged ice cream mixture on top of the ice. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag.
5. Get the whole family involved and take turns shaking the bag until the ice cream freezes. This should take about 10 minutes.
6. Carefully take the ice cream out of the bag, divide between two bowls, and top with your favorite toppings.