Red lentils, carrot and polenta hearts (mustard-free)

Name: Red lentils, carrot and polenta hearts (mustard-free)
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 60 g red lentils; 80 g carrot; 50 g polenta; 30 g mandarin; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 g coriander; 1 piece egg

A mustard-free recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months with allergies. Made with red lentils, carrot and polenta. SAFETY: all ingredients are guaranteed mustard-free.

10 min
Prep: 0 min
Cook

Ingredients

60 gred lentilsAlternative: chia
80 gcarrotAlternative: kale
50 gpolentaAlternative: tapioca
30 gmandarinAlternative: lychee
1 tbspolive oilAlternative: rapeseed oil
3 gcorianderAlternative: cardamom
1 pieceeggAlternative: 2 tbsp apple compote

Preparation steps

1. Safe ingredient preparation (hearts)

14 min

CHECK that ALL ingredients bear the Mustard-Free label
Rinse the red lentils and cook them in water (15-20 min) until soft
Peel and dice the carrot into regular 1.5 cm cubes
Cook the polenta in water (10-15 min) stirring often, then cool
Peel and segment the mandarin (remove all white pith and seeds)
Wash and finely chop the coriander
Take all ingredients out 20 min before (room temperature)
Prepare equipment: bowl, cutting board, knife

Cutting boardParing knifeKitchen scaleMixing bowlSteamer pot

Keep an eye on

Do NOT buy a product without reading the label
Do not cut too large: choking hazard
Do not give whole mandarin segments to under 24 months
Do not leave carrot skin too thick
Do not add salt: baby's immature kidneys
⚠️ NEVER serve a product that may contain hidden mustard

Texture tip

Cut ALL pieces the same size for even cooking
For 12-18 months: thinner pieces (1 cm)
Test cooking with a fork: should be melting-tender
KEEP PACKAGING of sensitive products to prove mustard-free
Check LABELS even for 'obvious' products (e.g. spice mixes often contain mustard)
Take out 30 min before for better incorporation

2. Assembly and shaping

10 min

Put the cooked red lentils in a large bowl
Add the carrot mashed into a smooth purée
Fold in the cooked polenta and mandarin segments
Add the binder (egg)
Pour in the olive oil and half of the coriander
Mix with a wooden spoon
Adjust the texture (rice flour if too sticky)
Shape the hearts with oiled hands
Place on a tray

3. Cooking (baked)

19 min

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan
Lightly oil a baking sheet
Arrange the hearts leaving 2 cm between each
Bake in the middle of the oven for 17 min
Check cooking halfway through
Remove when hearts are golden
Let cool 5-6 min before unmoulding
Test the temp with a finger: warm
Unmould carefully

4. Safe serving

6 min

Prepare a fresh mandarin segment garnish
Arrange the warm hearts on baby's plate
Add mandarin segments around (no pith or seeds)
Show how to pick up the hearts
Serve warm
Watch baby during the meal
Monitor allergy signs (rash, swelling)
Put leftovers in the fridge

Baby plateSmall bowl + suction cup