Baby and toddler recipes
🧅 Turkish-style red lentil and bulgur patties
Soft, vegan patties inspired by Turkish mercimek köftesi, made from red lentils, bulgur wheat, tomato and fresh herbs. Plant iron from the lentils pairs with vitamin C from the tomato and lemon.
Makes about 16 small patties
Ingredients
- 100g Red lentils (rinsed)
- 60g fine Bulgur wheat
- 1 Onion (very finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Tomato purée
- 1/4 Red pepper (very finely diced)
- 1/2 tsp ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp sweet Paprika
- a handful Parsley (finely chopped)
- 2 Spring onion (finely sliced)
- juice of 1/2 Lemon
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- about 300ml Water
- a few leaves Lettuce (to serve for older children)
Method
- Simmer the lentils in the water for 15 minutes until soft and most of the water is absorbed.
- Take off the heat, stir in the bulgur, cover and leave for 15 minutes to soak up the rest.
- Meanwhile soften the onion and pepper in the oil, then stir in the tomato purée, cumin and paprika.
- Mix the onion into the lentils with the parsley, spring onion and lemon juice.
- When cool enough to handle, squeeze into small oval patties.
- Serve at room temperature.
Serving it to your baby
At 10 months offer oval patties about the size of a finger, which hold together well for little hands. For younger babies, serve the mixture on a spoon. From 12 months wrap in a soft lettuce leaf like the family.
For the rest of the family
Season the adult portion with salt and pul biber or chilli, and serve wrapped in lettuce with lemon wedges and pomegranate.
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 2 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. These are served at room temperature, so no need to reheat.
Weaning with OBubba
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Questions parents ask
Is bulgur wheat good for babies?
Yes. Fine bulgur softens quickly, contains wheat (an allergen to introduce), and adds fibre and some iron.
Do these patties need cooking after shaping?
No. The lentils and bulgur are already cooked, so they are ready once shaped and cooled.
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).