Green lentil homemade breaded sticks (fish-free)

Name: Green lentil homemade breaded sticks (fish-free)
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 60 g green lentils; 80 g fennel; 50 g tapioca; 30 g watermelon; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 g oregano; 1 piece silken tofu

A fish-free recipe suitable for baby 12-36 months with allergies. Made with green lentils and homemade breading. SAFETY: all ingredients are guaranteed fish-free.

10 min
Prep: 0 min
Cook

Ingredients

60 ggreen lentilsAlternative: red lentils
80 gfennelAlternative: beetroot
50 gtapiocaAlternative: sweet potato
30 gwatermelonAlternative: peach
1 tbspolive oilAlternative: rapeseed oil
3 goreganoAlternative: turmeric
1 piecesilken tofuAlternative: 2 tbsp apple compote

Preparation steps

1. Safe ingredient preparation (green lentil sticks)

14 min

CHECK that ALL ingredients bear the Fish-Free label
Cook the green lentils in water (25 min) until tender
Cut the fennel bulb into small cubes (1.5 cm) - remove tough core
Cook the tapioca pearls in water (15 min) until translucent
Cut the watermelon into small cubes (remove seeds)
Wash and finely chop the oregano
Take all ingredients out 20 min before (room temperature)

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 leave tough fennel core
Do not forget to remove watermelon seeds
Do not add salt: baby's immature kidneys
⚠️ NEVER serve a product that may contain hidden fish

Texture tip

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

2. Assembly and shaping

10 min

Mash the cooked green lentils in a large bowl
Add the fennel mashed into a smooth purée
Fold in the cooked tapioca and diced watermelon
Add the binder (silken tofu)
Pour in the olive oil and half of the oregano
Mix with a wooden spoon
Adjust the texture (tapioca flour if too sticky)
Shape the sticks with oiled hands
Roll in homemade breading

3. Cooking (baked)

18 min

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan
Lightly oil a baking sheet
Arrange the sticks leaving 2 cm between each
Bake in the middle of the oven for 16 min
Check cooking halfway through
Remove when sticks are golden
Let cool 3-4 min
Test the temp with a finger: warm
Serve immediately

4. Safe serving

6 min

Prepare a fresh watermelon cube garnish
Arrange the warm sticks on baby's plate
Add small watermelon pieces around (seedless)
Show how to pick up the sticks
Serve warm
Watch baby during the meal
Monitor allergy signs (rash, swelling)
Put leftovers in the fridge

Baby plateSmall bowl + suction cup