Annabel Karmel baby recipes

Pasta Recipes

Problems with lumps are very common and one of the best ways to make the transition from smooth purees to more lumpy textures is to stir tiny pasta shapes into your baby’s favourite purees. Its important to introduce texture and small lumps as early as possible as the older they are, the harder babies will find it to accept lumpy food.  I find that
overall lumpiness is generally more acceptable to a smooth puree with the occasional lump that then gets spat out .

Another reason why its important to get your baby to chew is that this helps develop the muscles that your baby needs for speech. Simply add to your favourite purees or try some of my recipes below.

My new range of ‘Make It Easy’ organic pasta shapes for babies from 7 months is a great way to introduce lumpy food to your little one’s diet. There are three sizes Gluten Free Pasta Stars, Mini Alphabet Pasta and Baby Shell Pasta.  The range is available in Tesco and Waitrose

CHICKEN BOLOGNESE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Roasting peppers brings out their naturally sweet flavour .  This makes a delicious sauce and peppers are rich in betacarotene and  vitamin C.  This would also make a tasty meal for the whole family if you add some seasoning.

Suitable for freezing
Suitable from 8 months
MAKES 6 PORTIONS

2 red peppers, chopped into large cubes
1 red onion, roughly chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
200g minced chicken
50g apple, peeled and grated
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 x 400g tin tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato puree
Half tsp balsamic vinegar
Quarter tsp dried thyme

100g Annabel Karmel’s  organic Baby Pasta Shells

Pre heat the oven to 180 C Fan. Put the peppers and onion onto a baking sheet and toss in 1 tbsp oil. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes until softened and lightly tinged brown. Heat the remaining oil in a saucepan. Brown the mince, then add the apple and garlic. Blend the vegetables in a processor until smooth, then add to the chicken with the tomatoes, puree and balsamic vinegar. Add the thyme and simmer for 5 minutes .

TOMATO AND BASIL  PASTA SAUCE

From 8 months
Suitable for freezing
4 PORTIONS

As you can’t season with salt ,  adding fresh basil and parmesan is a good way to flavour to this delicious creamy tomato sauce..

1 tbsp olive oil
Half small onion, peeled and chopped
1 very small clove garlic, peeled and crushed
50g carrot, peeled and chopped
200 ml passata
3 tbsp water
2 fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
1 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp cream cheese

40g Annabel Karmel’s Organic Mini Alphabet Pasta

Heat the olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic and carrot for 6 minutes. Add the passata, water, basil and parmesan. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.  Puree the sauce and stir in the cream cheese.