Lentils for Baby with Sweet Potato and Carrot
Steamed lentils for baby with sweet potato and carrot. A nutritious, freezer-friendly puree for busy parents and babies from 8 months
Ingredients
- 500g / 1.1lb sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped (NOTE 1)
- 300g / 11oz carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup of drained and rinsed canned lentils (NOTE 2)
- 1 to 3 tbsp boiled water or breast milk (NOTE 3)
Instructions
- Fill a large saucepan fitted with a steamer attachment with water until it is about one-third full. Place the saucepan on high heat, without the steamer attached, and bring the water to a rapid boil.
- While the water is heating, prepare the vegetables. Peel the sweet potato and carrots, then chop them into large, evenly sized chunks so they steam at the same rate.
- Once the water has reached a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-high. Place the sweet potato and carrot into the steamer basket, attach it over the saucepan, and cover with a lid. Steam the vegetables for about 15 minutes, or until they are very soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Drain the lentils in a colander and rinse them under cold water a few times. Transfer the lentils to a small heatproof bowl and place the bowl on top of the vegetables inside the steamer. Cover with a lid and steam for a further 5 minutes.
- Using a tea towel, carefully remove the bowl of lentils from the steamer and spoon out the vegetables. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer the steamed carrots and sweet potato to a food processor, then add the lentils. Process on medium-high speed until the mixture reaches a thick mashed potato consistency.
- For younger babies, you may prefer to use breast milk to loosen the puree to the right consistency. Alternatively, boiled water works just as well. Add one tablespoon at a time, blending between each addition, until you reach a texture that suits your baby’s age and feeding stage.
Notes
(NOTE 1) Sweet Potato - For this recipe, I used orange sweet potato because its texture is naturally softer and easier to mash. You can also use other varieties such as purple, Hawaiian, or Japanese sweet potatoes, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and ensure they are fully cooked and soft. These varieties tend to have less moisture, so you may need to add a little water or breast milk to loosen the puree.
(NOTE 2) Lentils - For convenience, I used precooked lentils from a tin. Some supermarkets offer organic and no-salt-added canned lentils, which are better choices for babies between 8 to 18 months of age. If you prefer to use dried lentils, simply follow the instructions on the packet and, most importantly, make sure the lentils are fully cooked, soft, and easily mashable before blending.
(NOTE 3) Boiled water or breast milk - For younger babies, you may prefer to use breast milk to loosen the puree to the right consistency. Alternatively, boiled water works just as well. Add one tablespoon at a time, blending between each addition, until you reach a texture that suits your baby’s age and feeding stage.
Storage: Allow the lentils and vegetable puree to cool completely at room temperature before storing. Once cooled, transfer the puree into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing: This lentils for baby puree is also freezer-friendly, making it ideal for batch cooking. Spoon the cooled puree into baby containers, then freeze. Once frozen, transfer the portions to a labelled freezer bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. For more detailed tips, you can read my full guide on How To Store Homemade Baby Food
To reheat: Thaw the puree overnight in the fridge or gently warm it using a microwave. Always stir well and check the temperature before serving to your baby. If the puree thickens after freezing, simply loosen it with a little boiled water or breast milk until you reach the desired consistency. Do not refreeze leftovers once reheated.
An important note - My baby recipes are based on what I fed my son as a mum, following advice from community nurses at the time and my research. Please note that any age guides or food suggestions shared here are not professional or medical advice. Every baby is different, so please use your own judgement or speak with your baby’s nurse or doctor if you have any concerns before introducing new foods.
Nutrition Information is estimated using a third-party calculator and should be used as a guide only.
Australian Measurements - All measurements on this website use Australian standard cups and spoons. For conversion details, see my Australian Cooking Measurements page.
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Cheers – Cat T
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 55mgPotassium: 396mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 13454IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg