Beef & Zucchini

Ingredients

• 80 glean minced beef
• 1 medium (about 120 g)courgette
• 45–60 ml (3–4 tbsp)water

Instructions

1. 1

   Slice the courgette

   Wash the courgette and cut it into rounds.

2. 2

   Steam until soft

   Steam the courgette for 6–8 minutes, until very soft.

3. 3

   Brown the beef

   Cook the minced beef in a pan over a medium heat until it is browned all the way through. Drain off any excess fat.

4. 4

   Cool slightly

   Leave the beef and courgette to cool briefly.

5. 5

   Blend until smooth

   Put the beef and courgette in a blender with 45–60 ml (3–4 tablespoons) of water. Blend until smooth.

What is beef and courgette purée?

This is a simple baby-food purée made by cooking minced beef and courgette, then blending them together. Minced beef is used in many cuisines, while this smooth, spoonable version adapts it for an early feeding stage.

The courgette softens quickly and adds moisture, while the beef gives the purée a savoury flavour. Blending with water lets you control how thick it is.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 157 calories, 19g protein, 4g carbs, 8g fat.

The beef provides most of the protein and fat, while the courgette contributes a small amount of carbohydrate. Serve alongside other age-appropriate foods over the day, and let your baby guide how much they eat.

Choosing the ingredients

Minced beef: Lean beef keeps excess fat to a minimum and is easy to cook through in a small pan. Break it up as it cooks so there are no large pieces left to blend.

Courgette: A medium courgette weighing about 120 g provides the vegetable component. Wash it well and slice it evenly so the rounds steam at a similar rate.

Water: Start with the lower amount when blending, then add more only if needed to reach a smooth consistency.

Getting the texture right

Very soft courgette: Steam the rounds until they squash easily with a fork. If they still feel firm, give them a little more steaming time before blending.

Smooth purée: Blend thoroughly, pausing to scrape down the sides if needed. Add water gradually so the mixture does not become thinner than you want.

Cooking the beef safely

Even browning: Stir and break up the mince as it cooks, checking that there are no pink or undercooked parts. The recipe does not specify a cooking time, so use doneness rather than the clock as your cue.

Excess fat: Drain the pan after cooking, before combining the beef with the courgette. This helps keep the blended mixture from becoming greasy.

Allowing for cooling

Brief cooling: Let both ingredients cool slightly before blending to reduce steam and make handling easier. Take care when opening a blender containing warm food.

Serving temperature: Check the purée is comfortably warm or cool before offering it. Stir well to avoid any warmer spots.

Serving the purée

Offer a small amount on a spoon and follow your baby’s appetite and readiness for the texture. This recipe makes one serving as listed, but the amount a baby eats can vary.

For a more textured meal when appropriate, blend for less time or mash the cooked ingredients instead. Follow your usual guidance for introducing foods and textures.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the courgette into similar-sized rounds so they soften evenly.
• Break up the mince finely while it cooks to make blending easier.
• Drain the beef well before adding it to the blender.
• Add the water a little at a time to control the final thickness.
• Blend in short bursts and check for any pieces that need more processing.

Variations

• Thicker texture: Use less water and blend only until the mixture reaches the texture your baby is ready for.
• More courgette: Add extra courgette for a milder, more vegetable-forward purée.
• Add potato: Blend in cooked potato for a thicker consistency.
• Add carrot: Steam carrot until very soft and blend it with the beef and courgette.
• Batch cooking: Multiply the ingredients to make several portions, then store them separately.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Firm courgette: Steam it longer until it squashes easily before blending.
• Large beef pieces: Break up the mince as it cooks so the final purée blends evenly.
• Too much water: Begin with 45 ml and add more only as needed.
• Undercooked mince: Continue cooking until the beef is browned through, with no pink parts.
• Hot blender contents: Cool the ingredients slightly and handle warm food carefully.

How to store

Cool leftovers promptly, place them in a clean, covered container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat only the portion you need until steaming hot throughout, then stir and check the temperature before serving; discard food left in the baby's bowl.

Frequently asked questions