Baby recipe - Lovely Lentils

Lentils are a good cheap source of protein. They also provide iron which is very important for brain development particularly between the ages of six months and two years.

Passata is simply sieved tomatoes which you can buy in bottles in the supermarket.

TIP A vegetarian baby first tastes of food is the same as for other babies, baby rice, fruit and vegetable purees etc.. But, from around seven months when proteins are being introduced instead of meat give foods like lentils, eggs or dairy products.

TIP Its not as easy to absorb iron from non animal sources, so it's a good idea to give vitamin C rich fruit or fruit juices as this helps to boost iron absorption.

Suitable for freezing
From 6 months

1 tbs vegetable oil
50g chopped onion
100g carrots, peeled and chopped
15g celery, chopped
50g split red lentils
250g sweet potato, peeled and chopped
200 ml passata
200 ml water
50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

Heat the vegetable oil and sauté the onion, carrots and celery for 5 minutes. Rinse the lentils and add to the pan. Add the sweet potato and sauté for one minute. Pour in the passata and water. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Puree in a blender.

MAKES 6 PORTIONS

For more delicious recipes and information and to chat with other mums visit www.annabelkarmel.com. Annabel has also launched a delicious range of chilled ready meals for 1 to 4 year olds available in Sainsburys.

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