Baby and toddler recipes
🍠 Black bean and sweet potato mash with lime
A silky mash of sweet potato and black beans brightened with a little lime. Black beans add iron, fibre and protein, while the sweet potato and lime bring vitamins A and C.
Makes about 5 baby portions
Ingredients
- 1 medium (about 250g) Sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
- 1/2 tin (about 120g drained) Black beans (no added salt, rinsed)
- a squeeze Lime
- a small pinch Cumin
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- a splash to loosen Water
Method
- Steam or boil the sweet potato for 12 to 15 minutes until very soft.
- Warm the black beans in a little water for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Blend the sweet potato, beans, cumin and oil together until smooth, adding water to get the texture you want.
- Stir in a small squeeze of lime and taste: it should be fresh, not sour.
- Cool to warm before serving.
Serving it to your baby
At 6 months blend it smooth, as bean skins can be tricky at first. From 8 or 9 months mash with a fork so a few soft pieces remain, and serve on toast fingers. Older babies can have whole beans squashed flat between your fingers.
For the rest of the family
Spoon the mash into warm tortillas with grated cheese, avocado and a fresh salsa for the grown-ups, seasoned to taste.
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.
Weaning with OBubba
Plan meals and log what your baby loved.
OBubba keeps a record of every food your baby has tried and spots the allergens for you, so you always know what is next. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Are tinned beans OK for babies?
Yes, choose beans tinned in water with no added salt or sugar, and rinse them well. They are a quick, iron-rich store cupboard staple.
Why add lime for a baby?
A little citrus adds vitamin C, which helps the body absorb the plant iron in beans. It also introduces a gentle new flavour.
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).