Beef Stew for Babies, Toddlers and the Whole Family

I like to think I am the kind of person who doesn't need meat for every meal and I like to think the vegetarian section of this site has the odd recipe or two but at this time of year, slow cooked beef just feels right.

There are adaptations in here for adults, toddlers and babies (baby led weaning or traditional approach) so read on!

Breaded Mushrooms with Garlic Mayo for Toddlers and Adults

I seem to be getting onto some kind of "healthy trashy" vibe at the moment.  Nothing deliberate, that's not my thing but we all fancy something a bit tacky sometimes.  I have to admit to a sneaky love of the breaded mushroom but I always want to wipe my face afterwards to remove the grease.  Yuck.

So, it got me thinking... Why not try oven baking them?  Must be possible right?

Popcorn for Toddlers (and Adults)

This has been something going through my head for a while.  The Mamacook household is a fairly thrifty place, partly due to necessity (currently buying a house with more than one loo, yay) and partly due to hating waste.  Anyway, Mr MC said he fancied some (popcorn) last night so I gave an idea I adapted from something I saw in yourhome Christmas made easy.  I'm a sucker for a Christmas food and craft mag.

Lamb Kofta Recipe for Babies and Toddlers with homemade naan (flatbread)

I'm always wary about posting things which are 'okay' rather than great but I figure there is a good dish in here somewhere, it just needs a little work.  My gut feel is some breadcrumbs in the mix would help because this was a little firm and shrank a bit.  Still, perhaps I should open this up to you lovely people?  Any ideas?  Anyway, I couldn't resist putting them in partly because they looked so sweet before baking.

Keema and Potato curry for babies and toddlers (Keema Aloo)

Well no claims to authenticity.  I'm not Indian, I once spent 5 weeks in India variably eating some of the best, worst and most food poisoning inducing food possible.  I did have some fantastic food too though and I've also lived in some of the cities in the UK with the biggest Indian, Pakastani and Bangladeshi communities.  A lot of people wouldn't think of making a curry with mince though which is quite traditional, it also gives you the opportunity to bulk out as well with lots of vegetables.  I've chosen potatoes here which again is pretty traditional (I think.)

Apple 'jam' tarts for babies and toddlers adaptations from 6 months

These aren't really jam tarts as there isn't anything quite so sweet in them as jam but it is a cunning (if I say so myself) and tasty way to have a nice pudding without adding sugar to it.  My son and I had two each at lunchtime with a bit of cream (oops!)

There is an adaptation for younger babies so read on...

Cheese Straws for Babies and Toddlers

This recipe goes hand in hand with another I will post tomorrow.  They both use a shortcrust pastry as a 'base'.  I wish I thought of this when my son was younger.  They're really crumbly so useful for babies with no teeth but as they do crumble, keep an eye on choking (however they do melt in the mouth).  The only salt is from the cheddar and unlike cheese straws where you put all the cheese on top and you end up with it burning and forming a skin, these are so tasty.  Piece of cake to make too and of course sugar free.  I'm definitely making these again and can already think of some flavour variations...

Garlic and Herb Chicken Nugget Recipe for babies and toddlers

It's been a few weeks of tweaking and varying but as it's my blog, I reserve the right to post variations on a recipe; think of it as a brand extension!  If you would like to see the original recipe, just click on this link.

Sugar free fruit crumble for babies and toddlers adaptations from 6 months plus

Mini Meatloaf Recipe for Babies and Toddlers - Mark 2

The new, the improved mini meatloaf!  Coming to an oven near you!

This is a variation on the other meatloaf recipe I posted some months back but it's a tasty, tasty dish and I think an improvement.  This is fine for toddlers and I would think ok for babies on finger foods as long as they're at the soft lump stage or later, probably 10 months plus but you know your baby best.

Prawn Pasta Recipe for Toddlers

Well sleep has improved after my last post.  Straight down for a nap and straight down at bedtime and not a peep from him until 5:45am (then chatting to himself for a good 15 minutes before getting us up.)  It's hard to explain to non parents that this is good!

Prawn Curry Recipe for Toddlers, Adults, everyone!

Oh I'm feeling a bit wrung out.  My son was happily falling asleep after a fantastic lunch, almost gone and what happens?  A blooming sales call and worst of all, they did the whole silent treatment so I didn't even get the joy of telling them how annoyed I am and how we're on the TPS and shouldn't be getting these calls...!

So then, nap is screwed.  Pumpkin is stood up in his cot saying "phone!" and when I don't give him the phone it leads to 10 minutes of screaming finally Mummy gives in and cuddles him to sleep.

Quadruple Chocolate Cookies NOT a baby recipe!

I don't want you to think I'm some kind of 'no sugar' joyless monk.  We all need a bit of fun and this recipe was a reason my husband asked me to marry him I reckon.  Well that and crumble maybe.

My other half has been nagging me for a good couple of years to make these again but after one bad batch (yes I know, kind of ridiculous to give up on a favourite recipe), it put me off.  I think I used real butter rather than margarine from memory and they just ran all over the tray.  Don't let that put you off though, I've been making this recipe for about 10 years and it was the only time they went wrong.

Sausages and Lentils (or just Lentils) for babies, toddlers and adults

When my son was first weaning, I used to make a meal which was very loosely based on Annabel Karmel's lovely lentils recipe.  My son always used to love it and so I thought about making something similar for all of us to serve with sausages.

There are variations below if you're wanting to serve it to a baby.  The vegetarian baby version is suitable from 6 months.  I would include the garlic even for babies, you'd be surprised how adventurous they can be!

Goulash for Babies and Toddlers

I've said this before but there is a tendency to feed kids bland food and there is really no reason.  During their time in the womb they're 'tasting' the amniotic fluid, if you breastfeed, they get flavour changes through that.  Ok, perhaps don't go for chilli as the first step but at the weekend my son was eating some barbecued lamb marinated in garlic and chilli!  Spices are also a great way to make family meals with flavour but without using salt and sugar which I prefer to avoid.

The Creative Process and Carrot Muffins

I'm a scientist through and through.  In some ways it's because of my upbringing; science and maths results were praised; arts, English, languages etc., well I could come top of my class every week and it would barely pass comment.  That kind of thing rubs off on you but also, sadly, follows you in life through the hang ups and self criticisms we all have.

Vegetarian Spanish Rice for Babies and Toddlers

Well for parents too really.  I had some and liked it; probably needed more seasoning for my taste but I'm trying to get used to less salt in my diet so pumpkin can have more foods that we eat every day.

Is it wrong to be inspired by processed foods?  Well this was an idea which started with Savoury Rice.  A packet thing which used to be on sale in the UK in the 80s.  I have no idea why I thought of this, I don't remember liking it, at all.  But your mind wanders and inspiration can sometimes come from the strangest places.