Hake and yellow bell pepper meatballs with melon
Hake and yellow bell pepper meatballs with melon A recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months. Hake and yellow bell pepper meatballs with melon and chervil. SAFETY: check fish bones (hake is bony), REMOVE ALL MELON SEEDS, watch out for gluten (spelt flour).
A recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months. Hake and yellow bell pepper meatballs with melon and chervil. SAFETY: check fish bones (hake is bony), REMOVE ALL MELON SEEDS, watch out for gluten (spelt flour).
Difficulty Little dishes, big smiles!
🍽️ 60 g hakeAlternative: egg 🍽️ 80 g yellow bell pepperAlternative: sweet potato 🍽️ 50 g spelt flourAlternative: wholemeal bread 🍽️ 30 g yellow bell pepperAlternative: orange or kiwi 🫒 1 tbsp olive oilAlternative: rapeseed oil 🍽️ 3 g chervilAlternative: cardamom 🍽️ 50 g eggAlternative: fresh cheese 2 servings
Melting pieces, perfect for developing chewing safely.
No major allergen identified.
May contain traces of gluten.
per portion
Calories 193 kcal
Protein 10 g
Carbs 22 g
Fat 4 g 1
CHECK fish freshness (smell, firm flesh) Check hake for bones twice (use tweezers) Cut the hake fillets into regular 2 cm pieces WASH yellow bell pepper and peel (baby cannot digest skin) Cut the pepper into regular 1.5 cm cubes Cook the spelt flour as a porridge (5 min)
Cut the melon and REMOVE ALL SEEDS (choking hazard)
Take all ingredients out 20 min before (room temperature) Cutting board Paring knife Kitchen scale Mixing bowl Steamer pot Fish tweezers Do NOT serve if baby is gluten-allergic CRITICAL: melon seeds are choking hazard CRITICAL: leaving a fish bone is very dangerous Yellow pepper skin is hard to digest Always cook fish well (no raw fish for baby) Do not add salt: baby's immature kidneys Cut ALL pieces the same size for even cooking For 12-18 months: thinner pieces (1 cm) CRITICAL: confirm NO gluten allergy before serving ALWAYS remove melon seeds Always peel yellow bell pepper for baby Take out 30 min before for better incorporation 2
Mix the cooked spelt flour porridge and pepper cubes in a large bowl Add the hake pieces and seedless melon, mix gently Add the beaten egg as binder Pour in the olive oil and chervil Mix with a wooden spoon Shape meatballs with damp hands (diameter 3 cm) Coat each meatball with a thin layer of spelt flour Place on a tray lined with parchment Let rest 5 min in the fridge Large bowl Wooden spoon Fork Clean hands Tray lined with parchment Do not overmix: hake breaks Do not add too much flour: meatballs become too dense Do not forget to make meatballs compact: otherwise they crumble Do not make meatballs too big: max 4 cm diameter Do not leave air in the meatballs 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 meatballs won't stick Make small round meatballs for finger food Vary sizes according to age For 24-36 months: bigger meatballs 3
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan Lightly oil a baking sheet Arrange the meatballs leaving 2 cm between each Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 min Check cooking halfway through Meanwhile, prepare the chervil sauce: yogurt + chervil + 1 tsp olive oil Mix the sauce well and chill Remove the meatballs when golden Let cool 3-4 min Test the temp with a finger: warm Serve immediately with the sauce on the side Baking sheet Pastry brush Fork Tongs Small bowl Timer Do not forget to preheat Do not overcrowd the sheet Do not open the oven in the first 8 min Do not overcook: meatballs become hard Do not serve sauce too warm (kills probiotics) Always check fish is fully cooked Check cooking: golden brown outside, hake cooked through 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 gluten allergy + check no fish bones + no melon seeds Prepare a fresh seedless melon cube garnish Arrange the warm meatballs on baby's plate Add small seedless melon pieces around Serve the chervil sauce in a small separate bowl Show how to pick up the meatballs Serve warm Watch baby during the meal Monitor allergy signs (rash, swelling - gluten/fish) Put leftovers in the fridge Baby plate Small bowl + suction cup Spoon Non-slip cloth Phone (emergency) Do not serve burning hot FINAL CHECK for fish bones + melon seeds + gluten allergy Always serve melon WITHOUT seeds Do not leave baby alone Do not reheat several times NEVER serve fish/spelt to allergic baby Serve warm: flavors are more developed Seedless melon adds natural sweetness For 12-18 months: cut meatballs in half Silicone bowl with suction cup Offer 2-3 different sides Keep phone nearby in case of allergic reaction 
