Baby and toddler recipes
🍛 Red lentil, carrot and spinach dal
A gentle, golden dal of red lentils, sweet carrot and spinach, softly spiced with turmeric and cumin. Lentils bring plant iron and protein, and a squeeze of tomato adds vitamin C to help baby absorb it.
Makes about 6 baby portions
Ingredients
- 100g Red lentils (rinsed well)
- 1 medium Carrot (peeled and grated)
- 2 handfuls (about 60g) Spinach (washed)
- 1 ripe Tomato (chopped)
- 1/2 small Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 small clove Garlic (crushed)
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric
- 1/4 tsp ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Rapeseed oil
- about 400ml Water
Method
- Warm the oil in a pan over a low heat and soften the onion for 5 minutes without letting it brown.
- Stir in the garlic, turmeric and cumin for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the lentils, grated carrot, tomato and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils have collapsed.
- Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted.
- Blend smooth for a first spoon food, or mash lightly with a fork for a thicker texture.
- Let it cool to warm before serving.
Serving it to your baby
At 6 months blend until smooth and loosen with a little water or baby's usual milk. From 7 to 9 months leave it lumpier and offer it on a preloaded spoon or scooped with soft toast fingers. From 12 months serve it with rice or chapati.
For the rest of the family
Take baby's portion out first, then season the rest with salt, a pinch of chilli and a squeeze of lemon, and finish with a spoon of fried onions and cumin seeds.
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.
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat dal at 6 months?
Yes. Red lentils cook down to a soft, smooth texture that suits first spoon foods. Keep spices mild and add no salt.
Do lentils give babies wind?
Some babies are a bit windy when lentils are new. Rinsing them well and starting with small portions usually helps, and it tends to settle as baby gets used to them.
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).