Caitilin Finch's book Healthy First Foods for Your Toddler (Grub Street, £9.99 hardback) will make a perfect stocking filler for the new mother struggling to provide a toddler with a tasty nutritious diet that establishes a healthy eating pattern for life.

The food children eat during their first few years is of vital importance, as food and nutrients are the building blocks which help form strong teeth and bones, muscles and healthy tissues. A good diet can also protect children against illness. Caitilin's recipe for tomato sauce with secret vegetables, which is published in her book, is one of many recipes she offers for children who aren't keen on vegetables.

YOU WILL NEED: 1 small onion - diced 1 clove garlic - crushed 1 small carrot - peeled and grated Half small courgette - diced 25g sweetcorn 3 button mushrooms - chopped 400g tinned chopped tomatoes Fresh basil - finely chopped.

METHOD: In a small saucepan fry the onion and crushed garlic for two to three minutes over a low heat, so they are just warmed through.

Add the remaining vegetables and chopped tomatoes and simmer over a moderate heat for ten to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the tomato juice has reduced down.

Remove from the heat and purée to a smooth consistency.

Finally stir in the chopped basil and serve with any variety of pasta or even rice.