I have to admit that I ripped off the idea for this salad from my friend, Annika. She made a similar version at a birthday party and Kenya gobbled it up. The best part is that you can buy pre-cooked lentils at Trader Joe’s (my favorite) or most supermarkets if you don’t have time to cook your own.
Lentils are a rich source of iron, needed for the production of white blood cells, the lynchpins of your child’s immune system. They’re a great alternative to meat as well as being high in fiber and easy to digest.
Since lentils are so tiny and soft, this recipe is perfect for babies with just a few teeth. Make sure to cut the tomatoes in an appropriate size, depending on your baby’s level of chewing ability. This salad is so beautiful and can quickly be prepared for your baby as well as your family, just by adding a little salt and pepper to taste.

Lentil Salad (6 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Lentils, cooked
1/4 Cup Tomatoes, small dice(I used cherry tomatoes)
1/2 Avocado, small dice
2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Serve.

Recently I’ve gone on a “protein kick” cooking for Kenya. Chicken, beef, fish, but what about beans. Some people dread cooking beans because they think there are too many steps in the preparation. That’s where lentils come in handy. When mixed with a grain they become a protein and lentils are packed with iron, important for the creation of white blood cells and antibodies. Iron is more readily absorbed when eaten with vitamin C, so I added tomatoes to this dish.

*Don’t be freaked out by the purple color in the dish. I used purple cauliflower.

Indian Lentil Stew (15 Baby Servings, freeze 1/2)

1 Tbsp Onion, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Brown Rice
1/4 Cup Lentils
1 1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Tsp Cumin
1/4 Tsp Curry Powder
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, canned or fresh
1/2 Cup Cauliflower

1. Heat oil in a 2 quart saucepan and saute onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add water and bring to a boil.
3. Add lentils, cumin and curry powder. Cover and simmer for 50-60 or until soft.
4. 10 minutes before mixture is complete, add tomatoes and cauliflower. Cover.
5. Puree mixture until smooth.
6. Cool and serve

In my quest for new and interesting flavors for Kenya, I focus in on one flavor and obsess about how I can introduce it to him in order for him to love it, but not be overwhelmed by it. At the same time, I’m always trying to create a dish the whole family can eat (plus leftovers for a few days). This week, chili powder was my focus.
It’s hot, smokey, a little spicey and delicious. Most people wouldn’t dream of a 10 month old liking something so intense, but I feel like babies palates are ready for anything as long as it’s not over powering.
There are 2 tablespoons of chili powder in the recipe which sounds like a lot, but the recipe also serves 16 people! When I say I like leftovers, I mean it. When the chili is finished, I put 2 cups in a Cuisinart and whiz it up for Kenya to have over the next next few days. It’s packed with all the things he needs in his diet.

Vegetarian Chili

Serves 16

2 Cans Organic Chopped Tomatoes
2 32 oz Boxes Vegetable Broth
6 Cups Mixed Beans (Lentils, Yellow Split Peas, White Beans) (If using large beans, soak the night before)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, minced
5 Cloves Garlic, minced
6 Celery Stalks, chopped
6 Carrots, chopped
1 Bell Pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 1/2 Tbsp Cumin
2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Sweet Paprika
1 Large Bunch Dinosaur Kale, chopped

1. Turn slow cooker (crock pot) on high. Set it for 12 hours. Pour all liquid into the pot.
2. Heat olive oil over medium flame and saute onions for 5 minutes. Lower heat if they start to brown. Add garlic and continue to saute another 2 minutes. Pour the onion mixture into the crock pot with the remaining ingredients. Stir.
3. Cook in the pot for 12 hours.
4. Cool, puree (for baby) and serve.