If you are like us and bolognese makes a regular appearance in your house, this lentil ragu is a really nice vegetarian alternative. It is full of healthy goodness and the kids loved and enjoyed it.
This ragu recipe also works really well for smaller babies and the texture would suit a weaning baby from 6 months+. Use small grain pasta or use penne and serve it as a finger food for a tasty baby led weaning snack.
Tip: Don’t try and fool your kids into thinking it is their regular bolognese; instead tell them it’s something new and they will be more likely to accept it.
Cook time: 40-45 minutes
Makes: 10 Adult portions
Ingredients
Tip: Don’t try and fool your kids into thinking it is their regular bolognese; instead tell them it’s something new and they will be more likely to accept it.
Cook time: 40-45 minutes
Makes: 10 Adult portions
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 clove of garlic, minced
3 large carrots, finely chopped
3 celery sticks, finely chopped
3 large carrots, finely chopped
3 celery sticks, finely chopped
500g red split lentils, soaked and drained
2 potatoes, cubed2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
1 litre low salt vegetable stock
Note: it is a good idea to soak your lentils for about 1/2 hour before use. Lentils do not need pre-soaking but can be pre-soaked to improve digestibility making it easier for smaller children.
Method
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery.
- Cook until softened, but not browned.
- Add the lentils, potatoes, tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and vegetable stock.
- Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are very tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve over warm pasta. Or, store for future use.
- For your baby, blend the ragu. Offer as a purée or coat the purée on penne pasta and offer as a finger food.
Weaning and Storage
6-7 months - Smooth and slightly thicker puree, no lumps
7-8 months - Thicker puree with increased texture
8-9 months - Minced and mashed with soft lumps.
9-12 months – Minced and finely chopped.
Our award winning Starter Weaning Set set has all the pots you need to batch cook, portion and safely store food for your weaning baby.
6-7 months - Smooth and slightly thicker puree, no lumps
7-8 months - Thicker puree with increased texture
8-9 months - Minced and mashed with soft lumps.
9-12 months – Minced and finely chopped.
Our award winning Starter Weaning Set set has all the pots you need to batch cook, portion and safely store food for your weaning baby.
