A recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months. Fresh cheese and chard bites with cumin. SAFETY: check for lactose allergy, remove tough chard stems, wash chard thoroughly.
Little dishes, big smiles!
- 🍽️60 gfresh cheeseAlternative: hake
- 🍽️80 gchardAlternative: button mushrooms
- 🍽️50 galmond powderAlternative: fine semolina
- 🍽️30 gchardAlternative: orange or kiwi
- 🫒1 tbspolive oilAlternative: rapeseed oil
- 🍽️3 gcuminAlternative: rosemary
- 🍽️50 geggAlternative: fresh cheese
2 servings
1
- CHECK freshness of the fresh cheese (smell, texture)
- Break the fresh cheese into regular 2 cm pieces (finer for 12-18 months)
- WASH CHARD THOROUGHLY (sand between leaves)
- Cut the chard (leaves and tender stems only) into regular 1.5 cm cubes
- Cook the almond powder as a porridge (5 min)
Take all ingredients out 20 min before (room temperature)
Cutting boardParing knifeKitchen scaleMixing bowlSteamer pot - Do NOT serve if baby is lactose-allergic
- Do not cut too large: choking hazard
- Always wash chard (sand can be dangerous)
- Always remove tough chard stems
- Do not add salt: baby's immature kidneys
- Never use bitter almonds (cyanide risk)
- Cut ALL pieces the same size for even cooking
- For 12-18 months: thinner pieces (1 cm)
- CRITICAL: confirm NO lactose allergy before serving
- Always wash chard thoroughly (sand is dangerous)
- Always remove tough chard stems
- Take out 30 min before for better incorporation
2
- Mix the cooked almond powder porridge and chard in a large bowl
- Add the fresh cheese pieces, mix gently
- Add the beaten egg as binder
- Pour in the olive oil and cumin
- Mix with a wooden spoon
- Shape the bites with damp hands (diameter 3 cm)
- Coat each bite with a thin layer of almond powder
- Place on a tray lined with parchment
- Let rest 5 min in the fridge
Large bowlWooden spoonForkClean handsTray lined with parchment - Do not overmix: fresh cheese breaks
- Do not add too much flour: bites become too dense
- Do not forget to make bites compact: otherwise they crumble
- Do not make bites too big: max 4 cm diameter
- Do not leave air in the bites
- Always check egg freshness
- If the dough is too sticky: add 1 tsp rice flour
- If too dry: add 1 tsp liquid (water or adapted milk)
- Shape with damp hands: the bites won't stick
- Make small round bites for finger food
- Vary sizes according to age
- For 24-36 months: bigger bites
3
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan
- Lightly oil a baking sheet
- Arrange the bites leaving 2 cm between each
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 14 min
- Check cooking halfway through
- Meanwhile, prepare the cumin sauce: yogurt + pinch cumin + 1 tsp olive oil
- Mix the sauce well and chill
- Remove the bites when golden
- Let cool 3-4 min
- Test the temp with a finger: warm
- Serve immediately with the sauce on the side
Baking sheetPastry brushForkTongsSmall bowlTimer - Do not forget to preheat
- Do not overcrowd the sheet
- Do not open the oven in the first 8 min
- Do not overcook: bites become hard
- Do not serve sauce too warm (kills probiotics)
- Always use mild cumin dose
- Check cooking: golden brown outside
- For 12-18 months: more moist cooking
- For 24-36 months: more golden cooking
- If browning too fast: lower to 160°C
- Test with a toothpick: should come out clean
- Sauce: serve cold to preserve probiotics
4
- FINAL CHECK: confirm NO lactose allergy before serving
- Prepare a fresh chard cube garnish (cooked)
- Arrange the warm bites on baby's plate
- Add small chard pieces around (cooked)
- Serve the cumin sauce in a small separate bowl
- Show how to pick up the bites
- Serve warm
- Watch baby during the meal
- Monitor allergy signs (rash, swelling - lactose)
- Put leftovers in the fridge
Baby plateSmall bowl + suction cupSpoonNon-slip clothPhone (emergency) - Do not serve burning hot
- FINAL CHECK for lactose allergy before serving
- Always serve chard cooked (never raw)
- Do not leave baby alone
- Do not reheat several times
- NEVER serve fresh cheese to lactose-allergic baby
- Serve warm: flavors are more developed
- Chard adds color and fiber
- For 12-18 months: cut bites in half
- Silicone bowl with suction cup
- Offer 2-3 different sides
- Keep phone nearby in case of allergic reaction
