Red meat has had nothing but bad press over the last decade or so. We are repeatedly warned that it is bad for us and we should avoid it, but did you know that red meat eaten as part of a balanced diet is actually good for us? It is packed full of nutrients which are required for healthy development for our babies and toddlers, from iron to zinc, potassium and B vitamins. Getting iron into our baby is the main reason we start solids at six months and red meat is a fantastic source.
Dr Emma Derbyshire, a public health nutritionist and mother, says:
“Including a small portion of red meat in the diet a few times a week after weaning can help to bridge nutrient gaps and so help to maintain good health through childhood and beyond.”
The Meat Advisory Panel, an independent group of health and nutrition experts, is partnering with BritMums to promote red meat in the diets of children and have asked me to create a fun recipe for babies and toddlers using it. These beefy burritos are a quick and easy tea time treat, filled with flavour and absolutely delicious. They can be seriously messy business so I advise a naked baby or one covered head to toe in an appropriate coverall bib.
You can also batch make these burritos and keep them for a quick lunch during the week.
Ingredients
- 500g minced beef
- 8 tortilla wraps
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lime
- handful fresh coriander
- full fat natural/greek yoghurt
- 2 eggs
- dash of milk
- 80g cheddar cheese
- 2 cups rice
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- sliced yellow pepper
- salad to serve
- one ripe avocado
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large wok and add the mince. Let it brown gradually.
- Add all of your dried herbs and spices in a bowl and combine. Pour over the browned mince.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice according to packet instructions. I like to use a rice cooker, saving me time and burning the rice to the bottom of a pan!
- Make the salsa by chopping up your cherry tomatoes, placing them in a bowl along with chopped coriander, crushed garlic, lime juice and one chopped chilli pepper with the seeds removed (can use 1/2 tsp crushed dried chilli in its place)
- The guac is easily made by blitzing one ripe avocado, lime juice, lime zest, a dash of olive oil and chopped coriander. Alternatively, you could give the guac a miss and slice up avocado fingers to have either in or alongside the burrito.
- I like to add eggs to my baby's burrito, but this is entirely optional. I scramble them with a little milk in a hot frying pan and keep them on once side while I wait for the rest to cook.
- Once everything is ready, it's time to create your burrito. I get my wrap and add a little mince, some rice, the egg, a spot of salsa and guac, a spoonful of yoghurt, some grated cheese and then fold it. For baby, i cut it into pinwheels, making it easier to hold and eat.
Check out more of my baby-led weaning and toddler recipes here.
Disclaimer: This post is an entry for the BritMums #HealthyRedMeat, sponsored by the Meat Advisory Panel.
Kate Holmes
Tuesday 19th of September 2017
I feel old as back in the day we weaned so much earlier. Love the idea of your recipe. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part
Devon Mama
Tuesday 19th of September 2017
These look delicious. I always think things like this will be really messy for a little one but cutting them up is a neat solution (literally!) x