This recipe is a perfect example on how to incorporate baby-food preparation based on what the family is eating. Here’s what my husband and I had for dinner the other night…
For some reason or another I was inspired to prepare a baby-friendly version using all the same ingredients (except for salt and pepper). The result was a delicious purée, which might I add should be called “pâté” to give it justice, because that’s actually how I served it my 2 year old son…and he loved it!
I hadn’t initially intended on adding olives in the dish but I was actually munching on some while preparing it and a lightbulb went off in my head. The olives really heighten the flavour of this “pâté” by adding a salty bite!
If your baby hasn’t yet developed a taste for herbs and spices or if you’re still in the process of introducing one at a time, simply start with one herb/spice then add another each time you make the purée until you can add all of them and combine the flavours.
(Yields about 3/4 cup)
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 6oz slices “fast-fry” beef (does not need to be exact amount!)
1/4 – 1/2 cup of homemade vegetable broth or low-sodium organic beef broth
1/4 tsp. cumin powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
pinch of paprika
2 manzanillo olives (optional)
Heat oil on medium heat in a small frying pan for about 2 minutes. Add the beef slices, and season (one side only) with oregano, paprika, and cumin.
Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until the juice runs clear and the meat is pale in colour.
Set aside to cool for a few minutes. Once cooled blend in a small food processor with 1/4 cup broth until smooth. If the consistency is too thick continue to add 1 tablespoon of broth at a time, blending each time until you get the desired consistency.
Add olives (if desired) and purée again until smooth. (You can always add more olives to enhance the flavour-I added five in total!)
Serve warm as a first food or mix with brown rice, lentils or…
…spread “pâté” on a crunchy piece of toast for your toddler!
What is your opinion on store-bought meat purées, do you or would you offer them to your baby? Or, would you rather make a tasty homemade version like this one?
