Sweet Potato & Lentil Mash: A Taste of Texture!
Introduce your little one to a delightful blend of flavors and textures with this mildly spiced sweet potato and lentil mash. It's packed with nutrients and perfect for babies ready to explore chunkier foods.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1/2 small sweet potato, peeled and diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 small tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped (or 1/4 cup canned no-salt crushed tomatoes)
- 1.5 cups water
- Pinch of ground cumin (optional, less than 1/8 tsp)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the lentils. Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This helps remove any debris and excess starch.
Step 2: Dice the sweet potato. Peel the sweet potato and dice it into small, uniform pieces, approximately 1/4-inch in size. This ensures even cooking.
Step 3: Prepare the tomato. Peel the tomato by scoring a shallow 'X' at the bottom, then briefly blanching it in boiling water for 30 seconds. The skin should easily peel off. Remove the seeds and chop the tomato into small pieces.
Step 4: Combine the ingredients. In a medium-sized pot, combine the rinsed red lentils, diced sweet potato, chopped tomato (or crushed tomatoes), and water.
Step 5: Add optional cumin. If using cumin, add a very small pinch (less than 1/8 tsp) to the pot. Start with a tiny amount, as babies have sensitive palates.
Step 6: Bring to a boil. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Step 7: Simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot partially, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
Step 8: Cook until tender. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are very soft and have mostly broken down, and the sweet potato is tender enough to mash easily. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more water.
Step 9: Check for doneness. The mixture should be porridge-like in consistency. Taste a small piece of sweet potato to ensure it is soft and cooked through.
Step 10: Mash the mixture. Remove the pot from the heat. Use a fork or potato masher to gently mash the mixture. Aim for a textured mash with some small, soft lumps. If your baby prefers a smoother texture, you can blend a portion of the mixture and mix it back in.
Step 11: Cool before serving. Allow the mash to cool to a warm (not hot) temperature before serving to your baby. Always test the temperature before feeding.
Step 12: Serve and enjoy! Spoon-feed the Sweet Potato & Lentil Mash to your baby. Observe their reaction to the new texture and flavor.
Step 13: Storage. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving, adding a little water if needed to loosen the consistency.
Step 14: Freezing (optional). This mash freezes well. Portion into small, freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays for easy thawing and serving.
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required for all steps.
- Ensure sweet potato pieces are small and soft to prevent choking.
- Check for any allergic reactions when introducing new foods. Start with a small amount.
- Test the temperature of the mash before feeding to avoid burns.
- Ensure all ingredients are fresh and of good quality.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 80 kcal per serving
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 15g
Fat: 0.5g