Lentil Puree

This Lentil Puree recipe combines red lentils with a medley of mixed vegetables. Not only is this nourishing puree great for your baby, but it can also be effortlessly transformed into a delicious soup for the whole family to enjoy.

Red lentils have a soft and creamy texture when cooked, making them a great addition to baby food. Enjoy them in this delicious puree or try cooking them in these other baby friendly recipes; red lentil curry, lentil and sweet potato croquettes, lentil pancakes or lentil shepherds pie.

Jump to:

• Reasons to Love this Puree
• Video Tutorial
• Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)
• Step By Step Instructions & Cooking Tips
• Storage & Reheating Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• More Baby Friendly Lentil Recipes...
• Lentil Puree

Reasons to Love this Puree

• Nutritious: Lentils are a nutrient powerhouse, offering B vitamins, protein and fibre, In addition they are packed with iron and zinc - essential for babies as their reserves decline after 6 months. To support iron absorption, bell pepper is added as a source of Vitamin C.
• Smooth or Chunky: You can prepare this puree either smooth or chunky, allowing your little one to experience different textures.
• Family Friendly: After blending the puree for your baby, set aside their portion and combine the remaining puree with chicken or vegetable stock/broth, along with a touch of seasoning, to transform it into a flavourful lentil soup that can be enjoyed by the rest of the family.
• Freezer Friendly: If you prefer not to make the soup, you can freeze the puree into small ice-cube portions. This allows you to have ready-to-use servings of lentil puree whenever needed.

Video Tutorial

Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)

For the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Red Split Lentils - Red lentils are a great choice for purees and soups as they break down easily during cooking, resulting in a lovely smooth and creamy puree. If you decide to replace them with green or brown lentils the cooking time will be longer, you will need a little more water and the texture of the puree may be slightly different due to their firmer consistency when cooked.
• Onion - Adds flavour and depth to the puree. You could sub with leek or shallots.
• Garlic: Added for flavour, introducing baby to a broader spectrum of tastes.
• Celery - Enhances the flavour of the puree and adds a subtle earthy note.
• Carrot - Contributes natural sweetness and additional vitamins to the puree.
• Bell Pepper - Provides a boost of vitamin C to aid in iron absorption. Broccoli or cauliflower can be used as alternative vitamin C rich options.
• Sweet Potato - Adds a creamy texture, extra vitamin and sweetness to the puree. You can sub with regular potatoes or pumpkin.
• Baby Friendly Vegetable or Chicken Stock: Adds liquid and flavour to the puree. It is important that you use a homemade vegetable stock / chicken stock or very low sodium stock. Alternatively you can replace with water.

Step By Step Instructions & Cooking Tips

1. In as saucepan, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, or until they have softened and become tender.
   This process helps to build a flavourful base for the puree.
2. Add the bell pepper to the sautéd vegetables and continue cooking for an additional minute.
   This step allows the bell pepper to soften slightly and infuse its flavour into the mixture.
3. Add the red split lentils and sweet potato to the sautéed vegetables, then pour the baby friendly stock/broth or water over the mixture.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
   This allows the lentils and sweet potato to cook and soften, resulting in a smooth and flavourful puree.
5. Use a stick blender or regular blender to puree the mixture until smooth and creamy.
   Alternatively, if you wish to serve a chunkier puree, you can use a potato masher or fork to mash the mixture to your desired consistency. This way, you can introduce different textures to your baby and provide them with a chunky puree experience. Maybe try a mixture of both smooth and chunk to add to the freezer.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigeration: Store the lentil puree in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to two days.
• Freezing: Divide the puree into ice-cube trays and freeze until solid. Once solid, transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Sore for up to two months.
• Reheating: To reheat lentil puree, you can use a microwave or stove top. You can reheat from frozen. It is important for food safety reasons to ensure the puree is heated thoroughly until it is piping hot throughout. Allow it to cook down to an appropriate temperature before serving your baby.

More information on Storing and Reheating Baby Food.

Recipe FAQs

More Baby Friendly Lentil Recipes...