I assume it's recommended because nobody has bothered to update their information on the subject in decades. It's empty, crappy, gross stuff and I wouldn't give a virgin gut something like that if I could help it. I tried it and it was nasty, not just the taste but the bland consistency. Not for us!

I read Baby Led Weaning and started DD on sweet potato. Then a week later broccoli, then avocado. Eventually we started giving her bits of our meals when I thought she could handle that dish (not too oily, or spicy). We just slowly built up. Now she eats everything we eat. Like you, we started BLS straight and once my milk went, we started mixing BLS and spoon feeding her which has worked very well for her intake