Baby and toddler recipes
🎃 Caribbean red pea and pumpkin coconut stew
A warming Caribbean-inspired stew of kidney beans and pumpkin simmered in coconut milk with thyme and a hint of allspice. Rich in plant iron, with pepper and tomato for vitamin C.
Makes 4 baby portions plus 2 adult portions
Ingredients
- 1 x 400g tin Kidney beans (no added salt, drained and rinsed)
- 300g Pumpkin (peeled and cubed (or butternut squash))
- 200ml Coconut milk
- 1/2 Red pepper (diced)
- 1 Tomato (chopped)
- 2 Spring onion (sliced)
- 1 clove Garlic (crushed)
- 2 sprigs Thyme
- a small pinch Allspice
- 1 tbsp Rapeseed oil
- about 150ml Water
Method
- Soften the spring onion, pepper and garlic in the oil for 5 minutes.
- Add the pumpkin, tomato, thyme, allspice, coconut milk and water.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until the pumpkin is starting to soften.
- Add the kidney beans and cook for 10 minutes more until everything is tender.
- Remove the thyme stalks.
- Mash or blend baby's portion to suit their stage.
Serving it to your baby
At 7 months blend until mostly smooth with a few soft lumps. From 9 months mash, squashing every bean, and serve with rice or soft dumpling pieces. From 12 months serve as the family has it, with beans halved or squashed.
For the rest of the family
Add a whole Scotch bonnet to the adults' pot after baby's portion is out (remove before serving), and season with salt and black pepper.
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
Can babies have allspice?
Yes, a small pinch of warm spices like allspice is fine from 6 months and helps babies get used to family flavours.
Can I use squash instead of pumpkin?
Yes. Butternut or any orange squash works just as well and is easier to find most of the year.
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).