Chickpea and grape meatballs

Name: Chickpea and grape meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 60 g chickpeas; 80 g celery; 50 g chickpea flour; 30 g grapes; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 g dill; 1 g silken tofu

A tender lactose-free recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months, made with chickpeas and celery. Ideal for babies with intolerance or allergies.

10 min
Prep: 0 min
Cook: Easy

Ingredients

60 gchickpeasAlternative: canned tuna
80 gceleryAlternative: green beans
50 gchickpea flourAlternative: quinoa
30 ggrapesAlternative: kiwi
1 tbspolive oilAlternative: rapeseed oil
3 gdillAlternative: tarragon
1 gsilken tofuAlternative: 2 tbsp apple compote

Preparation steps

1. Ingredient preparation (meatballs)

9 min

Cut the chickpeas into 2-3 cm pieces suitable for baby
Peel and dice the celery into regular 1.5 cm cubes
Cook the chickpea flour by steaming or in water according to type (10-15 min)
Wash and finely chop the dill
Take all ingredients out 20 min before (room temperature)
Prepare equipment: bowl, cutting board, knife, scale
Weigh each ingredient precisely
Set aside cooked ingredients to cool down

Cutting boardParing knifeKitchen scaleMixing bowlSteamer pot

Keep an eye on

Do not cut too large: choking hazard for 12-18 months
Do not forget to remove bones from the fish
Do not leave thick skin on vegetables
Do not add salt: baby's kidneys are not mature before age 3
Do NOT use any dairy/gluten product: check each ingredient
Do not forget to wash all vegetables thoroughly

Texture tip

Cut ALL pieces the same size for even cooking
For 12-18 months: thinner pieces (1 cm) for easier chewing
Test the chickpea flour cooking with a fork: should be melting-tender
Cook the day before to save time
Check that all ingredients are lactose-free by reading labels
Take the egg out 30 min before so it incorporates better

2. Assembly and shaping

6 min

Put the cooked chickpeas in a large bowl and mash with a fork
Add the cooked celery mashed into a smooth purée
Fold in the cooled cooked chickpea flour
Add the beaten egg or blended silken tofu
Pour in the olive oil and half of the herbs
Mix with a wooden spoon
Taste and adjust the texture
Shape the meatballs with slightly oiled hands
Place on a tray

3. Cooking (baked)

11 min

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan
Lightly oil a baking sheet
Arrange the meatballs leaving 2 cm between each
Lightly brush with olive oil
Bake in the middle of the oven for 11 min
Check cooking halfway through
Remove when the shapes are golden and firm
Let cool 3-4 min on the tray
Test the temp with a finger: should be warm

4. Serving and storage

3 min

Prepare an adapted dipping sauce
Arrange the warm meatballs on baby's plate
Put the sauce bowl next to it
Show how to dip
Serve warm (not burning hot)
Watch baby during the meal
Put leftovers in the fridge immediately
Check the absence of contaminants (dairy/gluten)

Baby plateSmall bowl + suction cup