Baby and toddler recipes

🍆 Baby aubergine and lentil moussaka

Name: Baby aubergine and lentil moussaka
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6 baby portions plus 2 adult portions
Ingredients: 2 Aubergine; 1 x 400g tin Green lentils; 1 Onion; 2 cloves Garlic; 1 x 400g tin chopped Tomato; 1 tbsp Tomato purée; 1/4 tsp Cinnamon; 1/2 tsp Oregano; 300ml Cow's milk; 20g Butter; 20g plain flour; 1 Egg; 15g Parmesan; a pinch Nutmeg; 3 tbsp Olive oil

A Greek-style moussaka with layers of soft aubergine, a cinnamon-scented lentil and tomato sauce, and a creamy egg-enriched white sauce. Lentils provide iron, with tomato for vitamin C.

From 9 monthsPrep 25 minCook 60 minFreezes wellContains: Milk, Egg

Makes 6 baby portions plus 2 adult portions

Ingredients

2 Aubergine (sliced into thin rounds)
1 x 400g tin Green lentils (drained and rinsed)
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
1 x 400g tin chopped Tomato (no added salt)
1 tbsp Tomato purée
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Oregano
300ml Cow's milk (whole)
20g Butter (unsalted)
20g plain flour
1 Egg (beaten)
15g Parmesan (grated)
a pinch Nutmeg
3 tbsp Olive oil

Method

Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan). Brush the aubergine slices with oil and roast for 20 minutes until very soft.
Soften the onion in 1 tbsp oil, add garlic, cinnamon and oregano, then the tomatoes, purée and lentils. Simmer for 15 minutes until thick.
Make a white sauce: melt the butter, stir in the flour, then whisk in the milk until thick. Cool for 5 minutes and beat in the egg, parmesan and nutmeg.
Layer aubergine and lentil sauce in a dish, finishing with aubergine.
Pour over the white sauce.
Bake at 180C (160C fan) for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and set. Rest for 15 minutes before cutting.

Serving it to your baby

At 9 months serve a small soft square for baby to grab, or mash on a plate. For babies from 7 months, mash it into a spoon food. From 12 months cut into small cubes or let toddlers use a spoon.

For the rest of the family

Season the adult layers with salt and pepper and add a splash of red wine to the lentils.

Storing and reheating

Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freeze in small portions for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir, then let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once. Freeze in individual squares.

How to introduce milk · How to introduce egg

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat aubergine?

Yes. Roasted aubergine is very soft and silky. Leave the skin on for older babies, or scoop out the flesh for younger ones.

Is the egg in the white sauce cooked enough?

Yes. Baking for 35 to 40 minutes sets the topping fully, so it is safe for babies.

OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).