☀️ Lunch👶 8-10 monthsvegetarianhigh-ironfinger-food

Creamy Lentil Pumpkin Risotto with Soft Apple Fingers

Name: Creamy Lentil Pumpkin Risotto with Soft Apple Fingers
Prep time: 25 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 3 tbsp red lentils, rinsed; 1/4 cup short-grain rice, rinsed; 1/4 cup pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and finely diced; 1/4 cup milk or breastmilk/formula; 1/4 small apple, peeled and cut into soft finger sticks; 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (pinch), divided

A cozy, mashed lentil and pumpkin rice bowl with cinnamon-kissed apple finger pieces on the side.

Make a version like this

25 minutes1 servingSoft, creamy mash with very small, tender rice and lentil lumps; apple pieces are very soft and easily gummed

Ingredients(6)

3 tbsp red lentils, rinsed
1/4 cup short-grain rice, rinsed
1/4 cup pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and finely diced
1/4 cup milk or breastmilk/formula
1/4 small apple, peeled and cut into soft finger sticks
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (pinch), divided

Instructions(9 steps)

1
Rinse lentils and rice under cold water.
2
Peel and finely dice pumpkin and peel and slice apple into thin sticks.
3
Add lentils, rice, pumpkin, a tiny pinch of cinnamon, and 3/4 cup water to small pot.
4
Bring to gentle boil, then cover and simmer on low until very soft (about 15 minutes).
5
Steam apple sticks in a small covered pan with 2 tbsp water until very soft.
6
Mash lentil-pumpkin-rice mixture with fork, adding milk to make creamy with soft lumps.
7
Sprinkle remaining tiny pinch of cinnamon over mashed mixture.
8
Cut steamed apple sticks into small soft pieces, leaving a few longer sticks for finger food.
9
Cool food until warm and plate mashed mixture with apple pieces on the side.

Nutritional Highlights

-Iron from lentils
-Plant protein
-Fiber for digestion
-Vitamin A from pumpkin

Age Appropriateness

This meal offers iron-rich lentils, gentle grains, and soft fruit in a mostly mashed form with tiny, soft lumps and a few easy-to-hold pieces.

Introduction Tip

Offer the mashed lentil-pumpkin mixture on a spoon and let your baby guide the pace, while placing just a few soft apple sticks on the side.

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Instructions(9 steps)

Rinse lentils and rice under cold water.

Peel and finely dice pumpkin and peel and slice apple into thin sticks.

Add lentils, rice, pumpkin, a tiny pinch of cinnamon, and 3/4 cup water to small pot.

Bring to gentle boil, then cover and simmer on low until very soft (about 15 minutes).

Steam apple sticks in a small covered pan with 2 tbsp water until very soft.

Mash lentil-pumpkin-rice mixture with fork, adding milk to make creamy with soft lumps.

Sprinkle remaining tiny pinch of cinnamon over mashed mixture.

Cut steamed apple sticks into small soft pieces, leaving a few longer sticks for finger food.

Cool food until warm and plate mashed mixture with apple pieces on the side.