Avent: Mom's versatile ally

MANILA, Philippines - The Philips Avent steamer-blender is one versatile baby care tool. First, it is a valuable appliance in preparing nutritious and easy-to-digest meals for babies and toddlers. Second, it is useful in preparing healthy edibles for expectant moms.

This combination steamer and blender in one nifty device is space-saving and easy to use. It has uncomplicated controls (just turn the knob to the left when steaming and to the right to blend) that lets moms and guardians prepare baby food fast, easy and mess-free.

Celebrity chef Mitchie Sison prepared two yummy yet healthy meals that can double as baby and expectant mommy food using Philips Avent steamer-blender. Check out her recipes below:

Super Green Pesto (Malunggay, Broccoli and Basil)

1/2 cups (lightly packed) fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup malunggay leaves

1/2 cup broccoli

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Super green pesto, prepared with Philips Avent steamer-blender

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

250g whole wheat pasta, cooked

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup Portobello mushroom, sliced

1/2cup cherry tomatoes, halved

salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine and steam first 3 ingredients in Philips Avent steamer blender and steam for 2 minutes, until soft and bright green.

2. Turn around and blend until herbs are finely chopped. Add oil, garlic sat and pepper and blend to coarse puree. Transfer to small bowl.

3. In a sauce pan, heat mushrooms and cream. Add super green pesto sauce and toss pasta. Add cherry tomatoes and top with parmesan cheese.

Soy Milk Poached Salmon

1 (1-lb) firm-ripe mango, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup drained canned pineapple chunks (from a 14-oz can)

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

Soy milk poached salmon with chicken pea carrot puree, steamed sesame greens and pineapple sauce

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves

2 cups soy milk

salt and pepper

200g salmon fillets

1. Using the Philips Avent Steamer Blender, steam for 3 minutes, mango and pineapple.

2. Turn around and add butter brown sugar, olive oil onion, garlic, djion mustard and cilantro and blend until smooth.

3.  Set aside.

4. In a saucepan, heat soy milk with salt and pepper.

5. Gently simmer and add salmon and cook 2 minutes on each side.

6. Serve mango pineapple sauce with salmon and garnish with cilantro.