My son's 15 month old now. He became a red-eye panda when he tried new food (sometimes even those food he'd eaten before, e.g. apple) when he started to eat solid food. However, I still let him try. This situation didnot appear now(touch wood).
I think you should try a very small amount every time... sometimes allergy can be fatal...
sometimes, the food will stimulate the air way to swell and so the baby can't breath....
you dun have to hurry anyway.... just try bit by bit....