A soft finger-food dinner for one 9-month-old who is developmentally ready for finger foods. Offer according to appetite; there is no need to finish the portion.

1. Rinse the listed Lentil amount. Place in a small saucepan with plenty of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20–35 minutes, or longer if needed, until completely soft and easily mashed. Drain thoroughly.
2. Meanwhile, peel the listed Sweet Potato amount and cut into roughly 2 cm pieces. Cut the listed Cauliflower amount into small florets. Steam both for 12–15 minutes, or until they squash easily with a fork, continuing cooking if necessary. Drain well and let excess steam escape.
3. Heat the oven to 180°C. Line a small baking tray with baking parchment. Mash the cooked ingredients together thoroughly, leaving no firm pieces. Let the mixture cool enough to handle.
4. Using a spoon, shape the mixture into loose, flattened fingers approximately 5–6 cm long, 2 cm wide and 1 cm thick. Bake for 10–15 minutes, just until they hold together gently. Do not bake until crisp or allow a hard crust to form.
5. Cool to lukewarm before serving. Check that each finger squashes easily between your thumb and forefinger, including its surface. If the fingers crumble, offer soft, flattened pieces rather than compacting them firmly. Seat your child upright and supervise closely throughout the meal.

Storage

Cool untouched leftovers promptly and refrigerate in a covered container within 2 hours. Use within 24 hours. Reheat once until steaming hot throughout, then cool to lukewarm and check the texture again before serving. Discard food left on the child's plate.

Allergens

Lentils can cause allergic reactions, and individual allergies to any ingredient are possible. If an ingredient is new to your child, introduce it separately before serving this mixed recipe. Check packaging for allergen cross-contact warnings.