Lentil Vegetable Mash

Lentils are simmered until they slump, then roughly crushed with soft vegetables so the bowl keeps some shape — a step on from smooth dal towards a chunkier dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp lentils
• Soft vegetables
• Water

Instructions

1. 1Rinse 2 tbsp lentils well and pick out any grit or discoloured ones.
2. 2Simmer them in about 1 cup water for 15 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises.
3. 3Add finely diced soft vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin or courgette and cook for a further 5–8 minutes, until everything is tender.
4. 4Drain off the excess liquid, keeping some back, then crush with a fork just three or four times — enough to break the pieces down while leaving visible soft lumps.
5. 5Adjust with the reserved liquid so it holds together on a spoon without being runny.
6. 6Cool to lukewarm and serve, letting your baby set the pace.

Tip. Red lentils break down fastest; brown or green ones will want another 10 minutes of simmering.