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Tantalising Indian Baby Food Ideas
Baby food doesn't have to be bland ... While some babies enjoy mild tasting foods, others positively love stronger tastes. Marmite is a good example - for our international visitors, Marmite is a spread made from yeast extract and is incredibly strong in taste. Yet all four of my children loved it as babies! Now, it seems strange to compare Marmite to Indian baby food, yet this example shows that babies do have tastebuds (!) and you shouldn't be afraid to safely experiment a little with new, or more unusual, flavours. Of course, always apply the four day rule when you introduce any new foods to your baby, to minimise or prevent food allergies and digestive problems . More about introducing spices, herbs and garlic 
The 10 month baby food recipes (and older, of course) shown below are simple to make and very nutritious. And they're not just for baby, either - try them on your toddler, or add a little extra seasoning and make some for the grown ups too! For some spicy meal ideas for a younger baby, visit Indian baby food recipes - 7 months+ - and you'll find a yummy dal recipe on our lentil baby food page. NOTE FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS: British vegetable names are used in these Indian baby food recipes - if these are not familiar to you, the following translations may be helpful!
Ghee Ghee is clarified butter, sometimes known as "drawn butter". It is normal butter that has been treated to remove its' "non-fat" elements. This process makes it a better cooking medium and you will see it listed in several of these Indian baby food recipes. To make ghee, melt regular butter gently in a strong saucepan. You will see the butter-fat separating and the milk solids sinking to the bottom of the pan. A white foam will form on top - simply turn off the heat and remove the foam with a spoon. You are then left with clarified butter! The higher fat content of whole milk yogurt is not only better for your baby, it also helps hold the yogurt together during cooking... unlike reduced fat varieties, which will usually curdle. If you do experience problems with the yogurt splitting - or if you are only able to buy low-fat yogurt - then try
 Indian Baby Food Recipes - Creamy Chicken Passanda 1 chicken breast, cut into 1" pieces 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp ghee (see method at top of recipe list) pinch cinnamon tiny piece of ginger, chopped finely 1 garlic clove, chopped finely pinch turmeric pinch ground coriander 2 1/2 tbsp natural yogurt 1tsp tomato puree 1tsp fresh coriander/cilantro Heat the ghee in a heavy saucepan, then add the onion and cook over a high heat for 3 mins. Add the cinnamon, stir, then reduce the heat and cook gently for 10 mins. Add the ginger and garlic, stir, then cook gently for a further 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the turmeric and ground coriander and fry for 1 min. Slowly add the yogurt a tablespoon at a time, raising the heat each time and stirring well. Stir in the tomato puree, then enough hot water to give a very fluid mixture. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. In a frying pan, heat a little oil and stir fry the chicken over a medium heat, until sealed and white. Add the chicken to the sauce and simmer gently for a further 20 mins, until the chicken is cooked, stirring occasionally. Add a little hot water if the sauce becomes too dry. Chop as necessary to suit your baby, then serve with white rice, garnished with the coriander/cilantro. Indian Baby Food Recipes - Warming Vegetable Curry 2 small courgettes 1 small onion, chopped 2tsp olive oil tiny piece of fresh ginger, chopped finely pinch ground cumin pinch ground coriander pinch turmeric 2 fl oz apple juice 4 fl oz water 5oz spinach, stems removed 1 red bell pepper, cubed 1/2 tsp lemon juice Saute the onion in the oil over a medium heat until tender. Add the ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric and cook for 1 min, stirring constantly. Add the courgette, apple juice and water. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 mins, until the vegetables are almost done. Add the red pepper and cook for a further 5 mins. Meanwhile, cook the spinach in a little water, then drain. Chop the spinach, then add to the other vegetables along with the lemon juice and simmer for a few minutes, until the peppers are cooked. Chop as necessary and serve with white rice. Indian Baby Food Recipes - Luscious Lamb Curry 8oz casserole lamb, cubed 1 small onion, finely chopped 1tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1/2 tsp ground coriander pinch ground ginger 1/2 tsp paprika 1 bay leaf pinch cinnamon 1/2 red pepper, chopped 2tbsp natural yogurt 4oz tinned tomatoes, chopped 1tsp fresh coriander/cilantro, chopped Pre-heat the oven to 375 deg F, 190 deg C. Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Fry for several minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, mix the ground coriander and paprika with enough water to form a watery paste. Add the ginger, cinnamon and bay leaf to the pan and fry for a further 2 mins, stirring. Add the coriander/paprika paste and fry for a further 4 mins, until the water disappears. Empty the onion mixture into an oven-proof dish and add the lamb, tomatoes red pepper, yogurt and 1tbsp water. Cover and cook in the oven for one hour, stirring after the first 30 mins. Add the fresh coriander, chop well and serve with rice.
Indian Baby Food Recipes - Brilliant Beef And Butter Bean Curry 8oz lean beef, diced 5oz butter beans 1 small onion 1 garlic clove small piece of fresh ginger, chopped pinch ground turmeric 2 tbsp ghee (see method at top of recipe list) 2 fl oz water Blend the onion garlic, ginger and turmeric in a food processor until a paste is formed. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the paste carefully (it may spit!). Stir the paste into the oil, lower the heat and cook gently for about 10 mins. If the mixture becomes dry, add a little water. When the paste is cooked, it will be golden brown and sizzling - at this point, add the beef and fry gently, stirring for several minutes. Add the water, cover, then simmer slowly until the meat is almost cooked. Add the butter beans and continue cooking until the meat is tender. Chop well and serve with white rice. Indian Baby Food Recipes - Fabulous Fish And Tomato Curry 10 oz any white fish fillet (check VERY carefully for any bones, even if the fish is sold as "boneless") 1 tbsp ghee (see method at top of recipe list) 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1tbsp chopped fresh mint pinch ground cumin pinch ground turmeric 1 medium ripe tomato, chopped Cut the fish into cubes. Saute the onion, garlic and mint in the ghee over a low heat, stirring, until the onion is golden brown. Add the cumin and turmeric, stir and cook for a few more minutes. Add the tomato and continue to cook until the tomato is cooked to a pulp. Add the fish, ensuring it is covered by the sauce and simmer for about 10 mins, until it is cooked. Flake the fish then serve over white rice. So why not get cooking and spice up his menu today!
Return to baby food recipes for your 10-12 month baby
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