Roasted root veggies ~ babies first food recipe

Written by Christina Hills, Baby + Child Dietitian, and Founder of the Happy Feeding Company Clinic

This is a recipe to cook on repeat for babies starting solids. Cook a batch at the weekends and serve with a delicious Sunday roast - try pairing with recipes like a slow cooked lamb shoulder - a great way to offer meat to babies starting solids as it literally falls apart between your fingers. Keep extra roasted veggies in the fridge and offer to baby during the week 

YOU NEED

• (Adjust the amounts based on how many portions you would like)

• 2-5 carrots, cut into chunky batons

• 2 whole white potatoes (skin off for younger babies), cut into thin finger length wedges

• 2-5 parsnips, cut into chunky fingers

• Ground black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Oil of choice - extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil melted

• Honey/maple syrup (for adults only and babies >12 months only!)

TO MAKE

1. Pre-heat your oven to 190 degrees. Ideally if you have time pre-heat a little of your cooking oil in a roasting tin in the oven before adding your chopped veggies.

2. Season your root veggies with ground black pepper, dried oregano and drizzle over your oil - and honey or maple if using- use a brush to lightly coat all your veggies (no honey for babies <12 months) and pop them in your roasting tin

3. Cover with foil and pop the veggies in the oven for 20 mins.

4. Then remove from the oven, baste all the veggies in the oil from the bottom of the tin, then pop them back in UNCOVERED for another 20 mins

5. Then remove again, baste again, and remove any excess oil before popping back in the oven for a final 15-20 mins to crisp up a little. You want the veggies to be crispy on the outside but gooey and soft inside, and easily squish-able between your thumb and forefinger - SO pop back in the oven for another 15-20 mins or so if they are not yet done to get the desired doneness and texture! 

*Tips for serving to babies: Serve the roasted root veggies as a finger food to little ones from 6-months of age when showing all the signs of developmental readiness

Babies roasted root veggies served with slow cooked lamb fingers, check out my slow-cooked lamb shoulder recipe.