Baby and toddler recipes

🐑 Lamb and swede mini shepherd's mash

A baby-sized shepherd's pie with lamb mince, carrots and peas under a soft swede and potato mash. Lamb is rich in iron and zinc, and this lumpy texture is ideal for babies moving on from smooth purées.

From 7 monthsPrep 10 minCook 35 minFreezes wellContains: Milk

Makes about 6 baby portions

Ingredients

  • 150g Lamb mince
  • half a small onion Onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 medium Carrot (finely diced)
  • 2 tbsp frozen Pea
  • a small pinch Rosemary (very finely chopped)
  • 150g Swede (peeled and diced)
  • 1 medium Potato (peeled and diced)
  • a small knob Butter (unsalted)
  • 200ml water

Method

  1. Brown the lamb with the onion, then pour off any excess fat.
  2. Add the carrot, rosemary and water. Simmer for 20 minutes, adding peas for the last 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile boil the swede and potato until very soft, then mash with the butter.
  4. Mash or pulse the lamb mixture to a soft, lumpy texture.
  5. Spoon into small dishes, top with the mash and serve warm, or bake briefly to brown.

Serving it to your baby

At 7 months, mash the meat well so the pieces are soft and small. From 9 months serve as is, or let baby scoop with hands. Squash the peas if serving separately.

For the rest of the family

Make a family-sized dish in one, keeping baby's portion back before adding gravy or seasoning to the adult meat.

Storing and reheating

Cool within an hour, then fridge for up to 2 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, reheat until piping hot all the way through, stir well and cool to warm. Never reheat more than once.

How to introduce milk

Weaning with OBubba

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Questions parents ask

Is lamb mince too fatty for babies?

Babies need fat for energy, so lamb is fine. Pouring off excess fat after browning keeps it from feeling greasy.

Can babies have swede?

Yes, from around 6 months, cooked until soft. Its mild peppery sweetness works well mashed with potato.

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).