Baby and toddler recipes
🥙 Lamb kofta fingers with tahini yoghurt
Juicy lamb kofta shaped into easy fingers, with cumin and mint, served with a creamy tahini yoghurt dip. Iron-rich and a gentle way to offer sesame.
Makes about 12 kofta fingers
Ingredients
- 300g Lamb mince
- ¼ Red onion (very finely grated)
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Coriander (ground)
- 1 tbsp Mint (finely chopped)
- 4 tbsp Greek yoghurt (plain full-fat)
- 1 tsp Tahini
- a squeeze of juice Lemon
- 1 Pitta bread (toasted and cut into strips, to serve)
Method
- Mix the lamb, onion, spices and half the mint.
- Shape into 12 fingers.
- Grill or bake at 200C (180C fan) for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until cooked through with no pink.
- Stir together the yoghurt, tahini, lemon and remaining mint.
- Serve the kofta with the dip and pitta strips.
Serving it to your baby
At 9 months, give a whole kofta finger to hold and gnaw, or break into small pieces for pincer practice. For younger babies (from 6 months), make the fingers softer by adding a spoonful of grated courgette.
For the rest of the family
Serve the adult kofta in warm flatbreads with salad, pickles, sumac and a little salt.
Storing and reheating
Cool on a rack, then keep in a covered box in the fridge for up to 2 days or open freeze on a tray before bagging, for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven until hot right through, then cool before serving. Never reheat more than once.
How to introduce milk · How to introduce sesame · How to introduce gluten
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Questions parents ask
Is tahini safe for babies?
Yes. Tahini is a smooth sesame paste, a good way to introduce sesame from around 6 months. Start with a small amount mixed into food.
Why fingers rather than balls?
Finger shapes are easier for babies to hold in their fist and are less likely to roll into the back of the mouth.
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).