Baby and toddler recipes
🫘 Butter bean, red pepper and tomato stew
A soft, sweet stew of creamy butter beans, roasted-tasting red pepper and tomato. Butter beans offer plant iron and protein, and red pepper is one of the best vitamin C partners for them.
Makes about 6 baby portions
Ingredients
- 1 x 400g tin Butter beans (no added salt, drained and rinsed)
- 1 Red pepper (deseeded and diced)
- 1 x 400g tin chopped Tomato (no added salt)
- 1/2 Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic (crushed)
- 1/4 tsp sweet (not smoked hot) Paprika
- a few leaves Thyme
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Method
- Gently cook the onion and red pepper in the oil for 10 minutes until very soft.
- Stir in the garlic, paprika and thyme for a minute.
- Add the tomatoes and butter beans and simmer for 15 minutes until thick.
- Blend smooth for a younger baby, or mash with a potato masher for more texture.
- Cool to warm before serving.
Serving it to your baby
At 6 months blend until smooth. From 7 to 9 months mash so the beans are soft lumps, and serve with toast fingers for dipping. Butter beans are big and soft, so older babies can have them squashed flat.
For the rest of the family
Serve the grown-ups' portion on sourdough with feta crumbled over, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and chilli.
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
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat butter beans?
Yes, from around 6 months. They are naturally soft and creamy when cooked. Mash or squash them flat for younger babies.
Is paprika safe for babies?
Sweet paprika is mild and fine in small amounts. Avoid hot or smoked hot paprika, which can be too fiery for little ones.
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).