Mid-Stage Baby Food: Beef and Bell Pepper Porridge
Mid-Stage Baby Food: Beef and Bell Pepper Porridge
Beginner Dad’s Delight! Safe and Nutritious Mid-Stage Baby Food with Locally Sourced Beef and Bell Peppers
Before getting married, I rarely stepped into the kitchen. Now, I find myself happily preparing various dishes for my wife and son. I’m a beginner dad venturing into making baby food! I hope our baby grows up strong and healthy, enjoying this safe and nourishing meal made with local ingredients.
Ingredients- 100g Beef (tenderloin)
- 1/2 Bell Pepper (various colors recommended)
- 20g Rice
- 1 cup Beef Broth
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the essential ingredients for this baby food: beef, bell pepper, and rice. While the photo shows only an orange bell pepper, using a mix of red and yellow ones will make the dish visually more appealing for your baby. Iron is crucial for babies after 6 months, and both beef and bell peppers are excellent sources, making them perfect for this recipe. Let’s help your baby grow healthy with this nutritious combination.
Step 2
Soak the beef in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove any blood. This step is important to prevent any gamey smell in the baby food. While the beef is soaking, chop the bell pepper into bite-sized pieces suitable for your baby. Some prefer to peel the bell pepper, but it’s generally fine to use it with the skin on if your baby tolerates it. Rinse the rice and soak it in water. Soaking the rice beforehand will result in a much smoother porridge later on.
Step 3
Bell peppers are packed with vitamins and iron, and they’re also great for boosting a baby’s immunity! They are a ‘must-have’ ingredient for baby food. However, if your baby is sensitive to the strong flavor of bell peppers, consider adding some sweet pumpkin to adjust the taste and consistency. Feel free to adapt the recipe to your baby’s palate.
Step 4
Once the beef has been drained of blood, cook it in boiling water. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become tough. Remove the beef once it’s cooked through but still tender, and then finely chop it. You’ll know it’s ‘cooked through but tender’ when the pinkish color starts to disappear, especially where you might have made small cuts in the meat. As you chop, you’ll also feel when the meat has reached a nicely tender consistency.
Step 5
Now it’s time to process the ingredients into a texture suitable for your baby. You could finely mince them with a knife or use a mortar and pestle, but for a quicker and easier method, a hand blender is highly recommended. When blending the bell pepper, pulse it briefly a few times to avoid turning it into a complete liquid; you want to retain some texture. If the beef is difficult to blend, add a little more broth or water to help achieve a smooth consistency.
Step 6
Combine the pre-soaked rice, finely chopped beef, and prepared bell pepper in one place. Now, we’ll use the hand blender again to process these ingredients together. Similar to the bell pepper, avoid over-blending; just a few short pulses are enough to create a suitable texture for your baby. Ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 7
Transfer the blended baby food mixture to a pot. Add the beef broth or water gradually while stirring, adjusting the consistency to your liking as you cook it into a porridge. For mid-stage baby food, it’s good to maintain some texture from the rice grains, allowing your baby to practice chewing. Cook slowly, stirring constantly, until the rice grains are fully softened and the mixture has a smooth, porridge-like consistency.
Step 8
Once the baby food is perfectly cooked, portion it into baby food storage containers. Dividing it into single servings makes it convenient to feed your baby throughout the day. Store the portions in the freezer and thaw or gently warm them when needed. Making about two servings of one type of baby food allows you to alternate morning and evening meals, and offer a different variety for lunch. This is the mid-stage beef and bell pepper baby food, made with confidence by a beginner dad. Enjoy and grow strong, little one!
