12–18 months
Baked courgette with curd cheese
Main mealPrep 10 minCook 25 minPortions: 4
Ingredients
- 2 medium courgettes
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted pasteurised curd cheese
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Method
- Peel the courgettes and cut them into finger-thick, finger-length slices.
- Toss lightly with the olive oil and lay them on a lined tray; add no salt.
- Bake at a moderate heat until the slices are completely soft; take them out before they brown and harden.
- Squash one slice between your finger and thumb: if it gives easily it is ready.
- Put the curd cheese in a separate bowl so your child can dip the slice while sitting upright with someone beside them.
Texture
A soft slice that squashes easily under your finger, with no browned hard edge and no watery, collapsed piece.
Serving
Give one slice at a time. Do not spread the cheese on the slice; leave it in a separate bowl so your child can try dipping.
Preparing for choking safety
The skin must be peeled and the slices are cut long rather than round. It is not fried and any hardened edge is trimmed off. Unpasteurised dairy is not used.
Key nutrients
ProteinCalciumIodineVitamin B12
Storage
Serve as soon as it is made. If you want to keep what is left over, refrigerate it and use it within 2 days. Throw away a half-eaten portion rather than storing or reheating it.
Safety
Your child should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. No salt or sugar is added to these recipes; honey is not given before one year. Their back teeth may not be through yet, so every piece must be soft enough to squash with gums and cut to a safe size. Children do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your child's pace rather than pushing. If your child has an allergy, eczema, or a family history of allergy, talk to your GP or health visitor before introducing new foods. Introduce foods that can trigger an allergic reaction one at a time and in small amounts, so you can spot any reaction.
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Recipes are a suggestion; they do not replace breast milk, formula, or your child's own feeding plan. If there is an allergy or a specific dietary situation, speak with a health professional.