9–11 months
Lumpy lentil and vegetable mash
Main mealPrep 10 minCook 25 minPortions: 3
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of red lentils
- 1 small carrot
- 1 small potato
- 1 small courgette
- Water
Method
- Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear.
- Peel the vegetables and cut them into small cubes.
- Cook everything together in unsalted water until the lentils are completely soft.
- Mash with a fork, leaving small soft pieces of vegetable rather than making it smooth.
- Let it cool and check the temperature.
Texture
Thick and lumpy, with lentils broken down among vegetable pieces that squash with gums, and no firm lentil left.
Serving
Serve warm. Portion out into a separate bowl.
Preparing for choking safety
Red lentils are hulled so no sieve is needed, but no firm lentil may remain. Carrot is never given raw and the vegetables must cook until soft.
Key nutrients
ProteinIronFolateFibre
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.