Baby Food Recipes - Lovely Lentils

Adding lentils to a baby puree provides a good source of protein and beta-carotene and also folate, fibre and vitamin C. Orange-fleshed sweet potato is an excellent source of beta-carotene and this lentil recipe makes a sweet, soft, smooth puree that appeals to young babies. This is a simple homemade and healthy lentils recipe for babies.

 

Lentils

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Ingredients

30g (1oz) butter
125g (4oz) leeks, finely sliced
30g (1oz) celery, chopped
30g (1oz) red pepper, cored, de-seeded and chopped
60g (2oz) red lentils
100g (4oz) 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
250g sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
15 fl oz vegetable stock or water

  

Method

Melt the butter in a saucepan and saute the leeks for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the celery, red pepper and carrot and saute for 5 minutes.

Add the lentils, saute for one minute, then add the sweet potato and bay leaf and pour over the stock.

Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Remove the bay leaf and blend to a puree.

 

Information

MAKES 6 PORTIONS

 

A vegetarian baby’s first taste of food are the same as for other babies – baby rice, fruit and vegetable purees etc…But from around seven months when proteins are being introduced, it differs. Instead of meat, give dairy foods, eggs and lentils. Lentils feature high up in the list of superfoods. They are an excellent source of protein, iron, zinc and potassium. Lentils contain quite a lot of fibre and can be indigestible so don’t give too many lentils to young babies.

This was my son's favorite food when he began with solid foods at 6 months. Now that he's 14 months, he wants to eat everything on his own. I tried to make this recipe into finger food, so I added 1/2 cup of prepared quinoa, 1/2 c of breadcrumbs, and 1 beaten egg to the combination, and made great patties with this recipe! Please, if you've done the same with different ingredients, share!

 

Suprisingly, my little one absolutely loved the rich flavour of the lentils and vegetables. I added a little minced meat to it while cooking for even more iron and protein. It is hard to believe people who say their little ones won't eat any vegetables, especially when 'hidden' in such a delicious way.

 

The ingredients may sound quite adventurous for little tastebuds, and the lentils quite powerful in flavour - but DS absolutely loves this dish.

 

Can you freeze this recipe?

 

I would like to know this aswell. Also what age is this most suited for?

 

I've frozen a batch of this and its fine (freeze in silicone muffin trays for good portion sizes) - obviously just make sure its thoroughly re-heated and cooled after defrosting before you give it to your little one. This is great as a puree for just weaned babies and now my 8 month old loves it mashed.

 

I have read Annabel Karmel recipe through the Internet its relay great please send me more recipe for my child which can make healthy and brine.

Thanks and regards

 

This was so yummy I had some for my dinner :-)

 

What a great site! My cousin introduced me to your site. And I absolutely love it! Many thanks!

 

Absolute must. Its much tastier than you think!

 

My husband (an avid meat eater) was horified of the thought I was going to feed lentils to our son, but even he agrees that this recipe is a winner. Our little man has been thoroughly enjoying this meal for several months now. Yummy!