After spotting that delicious baby food recipe using lentils, I had to think of a lentil recipe of my own. I’m a massive fan of indian food and Tarka Dhal is a big hit with me. Indian spices turn boring lentils into a heavenly, comforting and filling dish. So here is my baby weaning version of Tarka Dhal with warming indian spices and green spinach.

A good source of

• Protein
• Molybdenum
• Fibre
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Manganese
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• Selenium

Ingredients

• 2 x cups of Red Lentils
• 80g x Baby Spinach
• 6 x Tablespoons of Tinned Coconut Milk
• 1 x medium onion
• 3 x cloves of Garlic
• 1/2 x Teaspoon of ground Cumin Seeds
• 1 x Teaspoon of ground Coriander Seeds
• 1/2 x Tablespoon of ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 x Tablespoon of Mango Chutney or Apple Sauce
• 15g x Unsalted Butter
• Breastmilk or formula

You will need

• 1 x Saucepan
• 1 x Frying Pan
• 1 x Food processor or hand-held blender or a Baby Dan Food Mill with Serving Spoon
• 1 x Ice Cube Tray or Happy Mummy Baby Cubes Food Portioners (Stage 2)
• 1 x Chopping Board and Sharp Knife

Method

1. Fill up the kettle and put on to boil.

2. Start off by preparing the onion and garlic. Dice both finely. Melt the butter in your frying pan on a low heat and put the onions in. Cook slowly for for 20 minutes until golden, stirring occasionally.

3. Chop your spinach finely and set aside.

4. Empty the boiled kettle into your saucepan and put on a high heat to bring back to the boil. Add you lentils and boil for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the skin and foam from the top of the water. After 5 minutes turn down and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.

5. After the onions have been cooking for about 20 minutes, add your chopped garlic and spices and fry gently for another 5 minutes. Then, add the coconut milk, the Mango Chutney (or apple sauce) and the chopped spinach. Stir gently and allow the spinach to wilt from the steam.

6. When the lentils are cooked, drain in a colander. Return the lentils to the saucepan. Add your wet onion and spinach mixture to the lentils and stir thoroughly. Add enough breastmilk or formula to adjust the consistency.

7. You can choose to puree this further by using your blender or leave it in this textured form, depending on how your baby likes it.

8. Fill up you ice cube tray or portioner evenly with the puree and, when cooled completely, place in the freezer.

9. Once frozen you can empty you portions into a freezer bag so you can use the portioners again!

To reheat any baby food recipes just warm a portion in a saucepan over a gentle heat or in the microwave. Test the temperature on your top lip.

If you do use a microwave to heat baby food recipes always remember to stir thoroughly to remove hotspots!

Please note, I am not a pediatrician or a nutritionist and my information is based on personal experience and thorough research only.