Baby Bites Spiced Mince with Sweet Potato

Once you start introducing your little one to meat, you'll probably find there's no stopping them - at least that is what we have found with Bridget.

Starting with blander flavours to get them used to various textures is the norm, but there's no reason why what you give has to remain bland. I slowly introduced bolder flavours to my daughter with a sprinkle of cinnamon on eggy bread, some fresh herbs and various other gentle spices. This dish uses some more delicate spices and does pack a slight punch so add the spices a little at a time if you're nervous to offer spicier food. Again combining it with the sweetness of the potato will tone it down anyway.

The below makes enough for 10 portions and this freezes well. Just pop out a portion on the morning you need it and allow to defrost fully outside of the fridge before re-heating. 

250g lean steak mince
2 carrots
1 red onion
1 small clove garlic
1.5tsp cinnamon
1tsp paprika
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 heaped tbsp frozen peas
1.5 tbsp tomato puree
1/2 tin of tomatoes or passata
Olive oil
1 large sweet potato

Firstly place the oven on at 180 and place the sweet potato inside to bake. If you are in a hurry you can pop it into the microwave for five minutes before putting into the oven and this will speed up the cooking time.

Next add a drizzle of olive oil to a pan and place on a low heat.

Finely dice the onion and carrot and crush the garlic and add this to the pan, allowing it all to soften.

Next add in the mince, using either a wooden spoon or plastic spatula to break up and ensure no nasty lumps are formed during cooking, keep moving it all around and allow to fully brown.

Once lightly browned, add in all the spices (paprika, cinnamon, coriander and turmeric) and stir through.

Add in the frozen peas and stir to evenly distribute amongst the mince.

Finally add in the tomato puree and passata or tinned tomatoes and stir once again. Now allow to cook slowly for 30 minutes or so.

Once the potato has been in the oven for 30 minutes, remove it, discard the skin and place the flesh into a bowl and gently mash with a fork or potato masher.

Once the mince mixture has cooked for 30 minutes, remove from the heat and add to the sweet potato and stir to combine.

Allow to cool a little if serving right away and portion up into your freezable containers. Allow to fully cool before placing into the fridge or freezer.