61–72 months
Baked meatballs with bulgur pilaf
Main mealPrep 20 minCook 51 minPortions: 4
Ingredients
- 150 g lean minced beef
- 1 onion
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- 1 cup coarse bulgur
- 1 carrot
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Method
- Grate half the onion, knead it with the mince and oats and shape small flat meatballs.
- Bake at 190 °C for 30 minutes, until no pink remains.
- Soften the rest of the onion and the grated carrot in the olive oil for 6 minutes.
- Add the bulgur and 2 cups of hot water, cook 15 minutes, rest 10 minutes and serve with the meatballs.
Texture
Soft meatballs with separate, tender bulgur grains.
Serving
Halve the meatballs with a fork before serving.
Preparing for choking safety
The meatballs are flattened and halved before serving — round, mouth-sized pieces are never given.
Key nutrients
ProteinIronVitamin B12Zinc
Storage
Cool within 1 to 2 hours of cooking, then refrigerate or freeze in small portions. Use a refrigerated portion within 2 days. Eat a defrosted portion within 24 hours. When reheating, heat until steaming hot all the way through, then let it cool before serving, and reheat any portion only once. 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 — never while walking, running or in a moving car. No salt or sugar is added to these recipes. Round foods such as grapes, cherry tomatoes and olives are still always quartered lengthways at this age. Whole nuts and popcorn are never given, though nuts can be used ground or as a smooth butter. Egg, meat and fish must be cooked all the way through, and unpasteurised dairy is not used. Check fish carefully for bones. Children of the same age do not eat the same amount and appetite varies from day to day — follow your child's lead 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.