ParentSide
12–18 months

Beef and bulgur pilaf

Main mealPrep 14 minCook 32 minPortions: 3

Ingredients

  • 100 g of lean minced beef
  • 4 tablespoons of fine bulgur wheat
  • 1 ripe tomato
  • 1 small carrot
  • Water

Method

  1. Peel the tomato, remove the seeds and cut it into small cubes.
  2. Cook the mince in unsalted water, breaking up the lumps, until no pink remains.
  3. Add the tomato and the finely chopped carrot and cook until soft.
  4. Add the rinsed bulgur and cook, adding water as needed, until it has swollen and is completely soft.
  5. Fluff lightly with a fork and serve once warm.

Texture

Small pieces of vegetable and mince among soft bulgur grains, with no firm grain left.

Serving

Serve warm and let your child eat it with a spoon.

Preparing for choking safety

The tomato's skin and seeds must be removed. Use mince with visible fat and gristle removed. Bulgur is made from wheat and a firm grain is a risk. No stock cube is used.

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. 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.