Easy Beef and Noodles Slow Cooker Recipe For BLW
Table of Contents
Benefit of Eating Beef
Beef is an excellent source of protein, iron, and other essential nutrients that are crucial for a growing baby's development during the BLW stage. It can be introduced as early as 6 months of age for the first time, once your little one has shown signs of readiness for solid foods.
Offering beef in soft, bite-sized pieces allows babies to practice their pincer grasp and chewing skills. Iron found in beef is also more readily absorbed by the body compared to plant-based sources, making it an important addition to a balanced BLW diet.
Slow Cooked Beef Recipes
Slow cooker beef or crock pot beef, is a great recipe for baby-led weaning (BLW) as it results in tender beef and it is such an easy recipe using simple ingredients. The easy-to-chew pieces are perfect for little hands to grasp. The gentle cooking process breaks down the tough fibres, making it safer and more manageable for infants to enjoy without the risk of choking.
Slow cooker meals allow flavours to cook beautifully, introducing your little one to a variety of tastes and aromas, which is essential for developing their palate. By using healthy ingredients and minimal seasoning, you can create nutritious meals that are both appealing and suitable for your baby's burgeoning appetite. Slow cooking recipes are great for those busy weeknights or any night of the week for the whole family, the perfect meal for the next day too if you happen to have any leftovers.
Ingredient information
Black beans - Black beans are great with beef, the flavours work so nicely together. They are also super nutritious too. Great in any delicious meal.
Onion - I have used a red onion but feel free to use a yellow onion instead if you prefer.
Garlic and ginger - I have used fresh garlic and ginger paste, you could even use ground ginger if you prefer.
Sesame oil - You can leave this ingredient out if you have a nut free baby.
Vinegar - I have used white rice vinegar to add a little kick to the black bean sauce that works so well within this recipe.
Stock cube - I have used a zero salt beef stock cube which is great for baby led weaning recipes for flavour without the salt.
Carrot - I have grated carrot into the sauce, to add a little sweetness and also to add in an extra veg to the recipe.
Peppers - I have used a yellow and red pepper but you could use a green pepper too if you like instead.
Beef - I have used tender chunks of beef but you could use beef steak cut into strips or shredded beef.
Serving suggestion
The beef noodles recipe will be great served with broccoli or green beans. with a little sour cream.
You could also serve with cucumber batons, carrot batons and crusty bread.
Other recipes you may like: Beef stew, Chicken curry or Cottage pie.
Storage instructions
The best part is the creamy beef can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container
If you wanted to freeze the beef noodles for next time, you will need to make sure that the beef has cooled down before transferring to either a freezer bag (carefully) or freezer-safe container.
Ensure that the bag and airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container.
To defrost the homemade beef, leave in the fridge overnight and make sure that it is fully defrosted, before re heating.
To reheat, place the defrosted stew beef in a saucepan and reheat on a medium heat for 15 minutes.
Once the hearty beef has been defrosted you will not be able to reheat or re freeze.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Slow cooker - A slow cooker is well worth the investment. I use one that has a non-stick removable pan for ease of cleaning, and an in-built timer.
Slow cooker liners - Food safe liners, disposable and BPA free - these are a great idea for lining the slow cooker pot.
Airtight containers - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | Easy Beef and Noodles Slow Cooker Recipe For BLW
Easy Beef and Noodles Slow Cooker Recipe For BLW
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by lining your slow cooker with a slow cooker liner if you’re using.
- Pop one half of the onion, black beans (with water), garlic, ginger, sesame oil and the vinegar into a food processor and blitz to a smooth creamy sauce.
- Pour into the slow cooker, followed by the stock cube, the grated carrot, peppers and beef stew meat with a a splash of hot water.
- Give the beef mixture a stir. The cooking time is low for 6-8 hours or on a high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Cook the noodles of your choice, I use egg noodles but you can use rice noodles or even serve with rice or mashed potatoes with fresh parsley (optional).
- Leave to cool slightly before serving to your baby.
Notes
For nut free babies you can leave out the sesame oil and blitz the sauce without it.
Feel free to mix the cooked noodles into the beef in the slow cooker before serving.
©The Petit Spoon
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