Baby and toddler recipes
🌽 Peruvian-style chicken and quinoa stew
A golden, gently spiced stew of chicken, quinoa, sweetcorn and squash, inspired by Peruvian home cooking. It blends smooth for first tastes and is full of protein.
Makes about 8 baby portions
Ingredients
- 2 boneless thighs Chicken thigh (skin removed, diced)
- 60g Quinoa (rinsed well)
- 200g Butternut squash (diced)
- 3 tbsp Sweetcorn
- 1 Onion (chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Oregano
- 1 tbsp Coriander (fresh leaves)
- 1 tsp Rapeseed oil
- Water (about 600ml)
Method
- Soften the onion in the oil, then add garlic and spices.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the squash, quinoa and water. Simmer for 25 minutes until everything is soft.
- Add the sweetcorn for the last 5 minutes.
- Stir in the coriander.
- Blend smooth for first tastes, or mash for older babies.
Serving it to your baby
At 6 months, blend until smooth. From 7 months, mash so there are soft lumps. From 9 months, serve chunky.
For the rest of the family
Add salt, lime and aji amarillo or chilli paste to the adult portions.
Storing and reheating
Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze in baby portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir well and let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once.
Weaning with OBubba
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Questions parents ask
When can babies eat quinoa?
From around 6 months. Rinse it well before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating, then cook until very soft. It is a good source of protein and some iron.
Can babies eat sweetcorn?
Yes. Blend or mash it for younger babies because the skins can be tricky, then offer it whole in soft dishes as they get better at chewing.
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).