Baby and toddler recipes

🍲 Toddler mapo-style tofu with mushrooms

A gentle, no-chilli take on Sichuan mapo tofu, with silky tofu and mushrooms in a ginger and garlic sauce. It is a quick vegan source of protein, iron and calcium for toddlers.

From 12 monthsPrep 10 minCook 15 minContains: Soya, Gluten, Sesame

Makes 2 toddler portions plus 2 adult portions

Ingredients

Method

  1. Fry the mushrooms in the oil until browned and the liquid has gone.
  2. Add the ginger, garlic and white parts of the spring onion and stir for a minute.
  3. Add the water, soy sauce and pak choi and bring to a simmer.
  4. Slide in the tofu and simmer gently for 3 minutes, moving the pan rather than stirring so the tofu stays whole.
  5. Stir in the cornflour mixture until glossy, then add the sesame oil and green spring onion.
  6. Serve toddler portions over soft rice.

Serving it to your baby

From 12 months serve over rice so the soft tofu cubes can be picked up or spooned. Silken tofu is very soft and squashes easily. For a younger baby, leave out the soy sauce entirely and mash the tofu and mushrooms into rice.

For the rest of the family

Take toddler portions out, then stir chilli bean paste and ground Sichuan pepper into the adults' pan.

Storing and reheating

Keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Rice needs extra care: cool within an hour, keep in the fridge for no more than 1 day, and reheat only once until steaming hot. Tofu does not freeze well in sauce.

How to introduce soya · How to introduce gluten · How to introduce sesame

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Questions parents ask

Can toddlers have soy sauce?

Soy sauce is very salty, so leave it out for babies under 12 months. For toddlers, a small amount of reduced-salt soy sauce spread across a family pan is fine occasionally.

What is the difference between silken and firm tofu?

Silken tofu is softer and creamier, perfect for sauces and young eaters. Firm tofu holds its shape for frying and fingers.

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).