ParentSide
9–11 months

Lamb and lentil mash

Main mealPrep 10 minCook 30 minPortions: 3

Ingredients

  • 80 g of lean minced lamb
  • 4 tablespoons of red lentils
  • 1 small carrot
  • Water

Method

  1. Pick out any visible fat, gristle or piece of bone from the mince.
  2. Cook the mince in unsalted water, breaking up the lumps, until no pink remains.
  3. Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear and add them with the chopped carrot.
  4. Cook until the lentils are completely soft.
  5. Mash with a fork, leaving small soft lumps, and moisten with the cooking water.

Texture

Thick and lumpy, with carrot pieces that squash with gums, and no firm lumps of mince and no firm lentil left.

Serving

Serve warm. Portion out into a separate bowl.

Preparing for choking safety

Use lean minced lamb with visible fat, gristle and bone removed; mince is never served in lumps. Red lentils are hulled so no sieve is needed, but no firm lentil may remain.

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 baby should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. Add no salt, sugar or honey; honey is not given before one year. Your baby may not have teeth yet, so every piece must be soft enough to squash with gums. Babies do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your baby's pace rather than pushing. If your baby 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.