Beef Barley Stew for the Babies

If you have ever had Beef Barley stew, then you know the deliciousness I am talking about. The tender Beef chunks with the perfectly cooked Barley is a melt in the mouth combination. I have added peas and carrots in Prisha’s puree for a perfect balance of red and green vegetables but you can also add more vegetables of your choice. Make a stew for yourself and a simple yet hearty puree for your baby.

Your baby is going to love this! Personally I feel that the garlic adds a delicious aroma and makes it all the more flavorful. Many parents prefer not to add garlic in baby foods but I think it goes really well with Beef. Try it!

For the Stew: 

I like using chunks of Beef sirloin steak. I fry them up a little bit in olive oil with some salt and pepper. Then I keep them aside and fry the Onion, Celery and Carrots with some Garlic and Mushrooms. Finally, I add the barley and beef with some red wine, beef stock and bay leaf. Cover and let it simmer till it is cooked to perfection, sprinkle some fresh thyme and parsley on it and serve hot.

For the Baby Food Puree:

I like making the puree in a simpler way and my favorite method is using the pressure cooker. It is fast, easy and ensures that everything is well cooked. I still like adding the fresh herbs in it for that beautiful aroma.

Ingredients:

• Beef – ½ cup, cut in small cubes, washed
• Barley – ¼ cup
• Peas – ¼ cup (I use frozen)
• Salt – a pinch
• Carrots – 1 cup, peeled and cut in big cubes
• Garlic – 1 clove
• Bay Leaf – 1 (do take it out before making the puree)
• Parsley and Thyme – fresh, chopped, 2 tablespoons
• Butter – ½ tablespoon
• Onion – 2 tablespoons, chopped

Recommended Reading: Handling Raw Meat with Safety

Directions:

• Melt the butter in the pressure cooker over medium heat (you can also use a heavy saucepan).
• Add the Bay leaf in it, followed by the onion and garlic.
• Fry till the onion turns golden then add the beef.
• Fry for 2 minutes then add the rest of the ingredients (Barley, Peas, Salt and Carrot).
• Add one cup of water.
• Cover and cook over medium heat for 3-4 whistles or until the vegetables are tender and the beef completely cooks (about 20-25 minutes on low heat for saucepan).
• Let them cool down completely then use half of the water (in which they were cooked) to make the puree. Don’t forget to take out the bay leaf and add the fresh herbs. 
• Puree using a blender or Nutri bullet. Keep adding 1-2 tablespoons of water till the puree is smooth enough for your baby.
• Serve for lunch or dinner and let them enjoy the goodness. You can keep the puree for up-to 2 days in the fridge.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

• Diary of Finger Foods -1
• Pear Banana Oatmeal
• Carrot Puree/ Carrot Avocado Puree
• Rice Pudding with Apple and Banana
• Apple Mango Kiwi Banana Puree with a dash of Vanilla Extract
• Diary of Finger Foods - 2
• Apple Puree/ Apple Mango Carrot Puree
• Triple Berry (Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry), Banana and Oatmeal Puree
• Green Power: Green Beans Puree/ French Beans and Pear Puree with Yogurt
• 5 Minute Purees – Blueberry Avocado Banana Puree and Cherry Mango Banana Puree
• Breakfast Purees – Pear Oats Plums Blueberries and Pear Oats Apricots Mangoes
• Chicken and Barley Puree with Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
• Avocado Purees – Avocado Cherry Banana Puree and Avocado Orange Banana Puree
• Butternut Squash, Strawberry and Golden Beet Puree
• Sweet Banana – Banana Avocado Pineapple Puree with Yogurt and Banana Golden Beet Mango Puree
• Khichri (Lentils and Rice with Garden Veggies Puree)
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini Carrot and Cilantro
• Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Diary of Finger Foods
• Carrot, Apple and Ginger Puree
• Plum Apple Avocado Puree
• Red Lentils Puree with Turnip, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes and aromatic Cloves
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Yellow Squash, Apple and Oregano
• Green Beans and Asparagus Puree
• Green Beans, Green Apple and Avocado Puree
• Pear, Turnip, Collard Greens, Purple Carrot with aromatic Star Anise
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Tomato, Pear and Mint
• Blueberry Strawberry Peas Avocado Puree
• Turnip Pear Broccoli Yellow Squash
• Sweet Potato, Mango and Avocado Puree
• Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree
• Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree
• Butternut Squash and Kiwi Puree
• Apple Blueberry Puree
• Beef, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Puree
• Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry with Rice)
• Sweet Potato, Kidney Beans, Purple Carrots and Green Apple
• Plum Puree
• Mangsho Bhat (Chicken Rice with Potato and Tomato)
• Pot Roast
• Plum, Blackberry Puree with Yogurt
• Plum Cherry Mango Puree
• Garlic Tomato Pasta Puree
• Carrot Peach and Cherry Puree
• Mangoes Cherries Peach Acorn Squash and Mint Puree
• Carrot, Peach, Butternut Squash puree with Clove
• Beef Beetroot Yellow Squash Puree
• Collard Greens, Pineapple and Apple Puree
• Mango Banana Coconut Cream (with Yogurt) Puree
• Collard Greens, Yellow Squash and Sweet Potato Puree
• Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Chicken, Yellow Squash, Apple with Nutmeg
• Ginger Beef with Veggies
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Golden Beets, Acorn Squash, Peas and fresh Parsley
• Beef Pasta with Spinach, Tomato and Carrot
• Zucchini Pear Mango Purée
• Chicken Broccoli Fried Rice/ Casserole
• Cardamom Chicken with Vegetables for the Babies