When they are really litte, I think the general rule is to give them their breast/bottle feed first and solids after. I think at this age, it is just for them to experiment with different flavours and textures of food - not so much for meeting their nutritional needs, they still get that from milk.
I think at this age, pureed fruit and veg are the way to go. My kids wouldn't touch rice cereal but that's also good. It is safest to add just one food at a time for a couple of days to make sure that she doesn't react to it. Pretty much anything you want to puree - fruit and veg wise - should be fine. Just add plenty of water when you puree it. They really only eat a few teaspoons at a time at this age as well. They are getting used to the idea of having food in their mouth and swallowing.
Once you have a few fruits and veg, you can add a small amount of meat (chicken, mince etc) that you boil up with the veggies.
Foods to avoid until 12 months are - honey (I didn't understand why until someone explained to me recently about pollen and hayfever), egg, nuts, shellfish, and other high allergy foods. I usually start introducing small amounts of milk - like yogurt - from 9 months. I tend to avoid milk until to avoid lactose.
I am by no means an expert on any of this and I found the info really confusing with my first especially. Generally, until they are 9 months old, I just keep feeding fruit and veg. I introduce toast as soon as they seem interested in feeding themselves, which for both my girls was at about 7 and a half months and DS 9 months. Between 6 and 9 months, I try and change the texture of the food so it goes from being a puree to a mash over that time. Around 9 months, I start feeding them a mashed version of what we eat - leaving out bits that might not be so baby friendly. It makes life fairly simple that I don't make them their own food really for more than 3 months.
You also avoid honey because pf the small risk of botulism.
Invest in icecube trays, make a batch of something and freeze in these. One or 2 make a great serving size and it saves you having to make small portions all the time.
Most steamed vegies are great. Things that are quick and easy include mashed banana or avocado. There are some great recipe books out there for food for babies and toddlers.
Your local child health centre will have heaps of pamphlets about feeding babies solids.
at this age she can have what you are having. it's important that she has meat soon. Her iron levels will be running low and the iron in formula is not easily utilized by the baby, so she needs meat soon. She can probably move to 3 meals asap
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