- All these recipes are completely cows’ milk-free (and unless otherwise stated, they are also egg-free)
- If your child is on a lactose-free diet, simply replace soya infant formula with a lactose-free formula, such as SMA LF, in the recipes
- Be very careful when your child is sharing the family diet - for example, don’t add milk or margarine/butter to mashed potato, unless you have checked these are milk-free variations
- If you’re using fish, always check that all the bones and skin have been removed
- Always check your baby’s food isn’t too hot - it should be lukewarm
- Soya infant formula and lactose-free formula can be used to replace milk in most recipes.
First tastes (from 6 months)
Swede & carrot purée*
(2 – 3 servings)
- 300 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 120 g swede, peeled and chopped
- 120 g carrots, peeled and chopped
Method:
- Put the soya/lactose-free formula, swede and carrot into a saucepan
- Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft
- Remove from the heat
- Purée into a smooth consistency, using a liquidiser or by pushing through a sieve, check the temperature and serve
* Suitable for freezing
Rice or lentil purée
(3 servings)
- 30 g rice or red split lentils (pre-washed and soaked - following manufacturers’ instructions)
- 60 g turnip, peeled and chopped
- 60 g potato, peeled and chopped
- 300 ml soya/lactose-free formula
Method:
- Put the rice or lentils, turnip, potato and soya/lactose-free formula in a saucepan
- Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until soft
- Purée into a smooth consistency, using a liquidiser or by pushing through a sieve, check the temperature and serve
Moving on (7 - 8 months)
Potage soup*
(6 servings)
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 leek, washed, outer layer removed, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon sunflower or vegetable oil
- 600 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 300 ml vegetable or chicken stock (milk and dairy free)
Method:
- Heat the oil and gently sauté the potatoes, leek and carrot for about 5 minutes
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes
- Blend in a liquidiser or food processor or pass through a sieve, thinning with a little soya infant formula, if required
- Reheat and check serving temperature before serving
* Suitable for freezing
Chicken & vegetable dinner
;(3 servings)
- 100 g chicken breast, washed and skinned
- 300 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 50 g mixed vegetables, frozen
- 15 g cornflour
Method:
- Chop chicken into small pieces and cook in half the soya/lactose-free formula for 20 - 30 minutes, until tender
- Cook the frozen vegetables in unsalted water for the required amount of time, then drain
- Blend the cornflour with a teaspoon of water and put in a saucepan, along with all the soya/lactose-free formula, stirring continuously
- Add the cooked chicken and vegetables, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes
- Remove from the heat and liquidise or leave chopped, depending on your baby’s age and preference, and serve after checking the temperature
* Suitable for freezing
Apple & pear dessert*
(serves 2 - 3 children)
- 1 dessert apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 pear, peeled, cored and chopped
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method:
- Put the apple, pear and soya/lactose-free formula in a saucepan
- Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until soft
- Mix in the lemon juice
- Purée into a smooth consistency, using a liquidiser or by pushing through a sieve, check the temperature and serve
* Suitable for freezing
Savoury cauliflower
(3 servings)
- 15 g milk and dairy free margarine
- 15 g cornflour
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 2 teaspoons tomato purée
- 3 cauliflower florets (fresh and washed)
Method:
- Place the margarine in a saucepan and melt over a gentle heat
- Stir in the cornflour and cook for 2 - 3 minutes
- Gradually stir in the soya/lactose-free formula and bring to the boil
- Remove from the heat and add the tomato purée
- Cook the cauliflower in unsalted water until soft
- Drain, then sieve or liquidise the cauliflower to a purée or chop into small lumps (depending on your baby’s age and preference)
- Stir the puréed or chopped cauliflower into the sauce and serve after checking the temperature
Teatime haddock*
(3 servings)
- 200 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 100 ml potato, peeled and chopped
- 50 g haddock (fresh or frozen)
Method:
- Place the soya/lactose-free formula and the potato in a saucepan and cook for
- 20 - 30 minutes, until the potato is soft
- Chop the haddock, checking for bones, and add to the saucepan
- Simmer for a further 15 minutes
- Mash well with a fork, checking again for any bones, and serve after checking
- the temperature
* Suitable for freezing
Rice & apple pudding*
(4 servings)
- 60 g apple, cored, peeled and chopped
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 15 g ground rice
Method:
- Place the apple in a saucepan, add 2 tablespoons of water, and stew until soft
- Gently heat the soya/lactose-free formula in another saucepan
- Sprinkle the rice over the infant formula and cook according to rice manufacturer’s instructions, stirring continuously until thickened
- Mix with stewed apple, check the temperature and serve
* Suitable for freezing
Family foods (9 months plus)
Beany shepherd’s pie*
(6 – 8 servings)
- 1 tablespoon sunflower or other vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 480 g lean minced lamb
- 120 g mushrooms, washed and sliced
- 450 g can baked beans (milk and dairy free)
- 720 g potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 90 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 60 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
- Oil for greasing
Method:
- Heat the oil and sauté the onions until soft
- Turn up the heat and add the meat, stirring frequently until the meat is browned
- Add the mushrooms and cook for a few minutes
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes to make a meat sauce
- Stir the baked beans into the meat sauce
- Meanwhile, boil the potato in a saucepan of unsalted water for 20 - 30 minutes, then mash with soya infant formula and margarine
- Place the meat sauce into a large, greased, ovenproof dish (or divide into individual serving dishes)
- Spread the mashed potato over the meat sauce, using a fork to form a pattern
- Place under grill to brown top, check the temperature and serve
* Suitable for freezing
Savoury pasta*
(2 – 3 servings)
- 50 g macaroni or other pasta shapes
- 15 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
- 15 g plain flour
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 25 g mushrooms, washed and chopped
- 2 teaspoons tomato purée
Method:
- Cook the pasta in unsalted water until soft
- Drain and chop into small pieces
- Place the margarine in a saucepan and melt over a gentle heat
- Stir in the flour and cook for 2 - 3 minutes
- Gradually stir in the soya/lactose-free formula until the sauce thickens
- Stir in the mushrooms, tomato purée and chopped pasta
- Cook for 2 - 3 minutes and check the temperature before serving
Note: Some pasta may contain eggs and milk
* Suitable for freezing
Banana custard*
(2 – 3 servings)
- 15 g custard powder†
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 1 small peeled banana
- A few drops of lemon juice
Method:
- Mix the custard powder with 2 tablespoons of the soya/lactose-free formula
- Gently warm the remainder of the soya/lactose-free formula in a saucepan before pouring over the custard paste, stirring continuously
- Sieve, liquidise or chop the banana with the lemon juice and stir into the custard
- Check the temperature and serve
† Some custard products list milk as an ingredient.
Look out for the allergy warnings on pack
* Suitable for freezing
Chicken & mushroom casserole*
(2 – 3 servings)
- 15 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
- 25 g mushrooms, washed and chopped
- 15 g plain flour
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 100 g chicken, washed, cooked and diced
Method:
- Melt the margarine in a saucepan
- Fry the mushrooms until soft
- Stir in the flour and cook for 2 - 3 minutes
- Gradually add the soya/lactose-free formula, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens
- Stir in the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes
- Check the temperature and serve
* Suitable for freezing
Hot pot
(2 – 3 servings, contains eggs)
Meatballs
- 240 g lean minced beef or chicken
- 60 g breadcrumbs†, soaked in 2 tablespoons of soya/lactose-free formula and gently squeezed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely grated
- 2 teaspoons tinned, chopped tomatoes
Hot pot
- 1 tablespoon sunflower or vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 leeks, washed, outer layer removed, finely sliced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 400 g can tomatoes
- 300 ml stock (milk and dairy free – low salt version)
Method:
Meatballs
- Mix together mince, breadcrumbs, egg, onion and chopped tomatoes
- Knead mixture for a few minutes until all the ingredients are combined
- Shape into 12 balls and set aside
Hot Pot
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions, leeks, carrots and potatoes
- Cover and cook for 10 minutes
- Add the tomatoes, meatballs and stock
- Bring slowly to the boil
- Season and simmer for 40 - 50 minutes until the meatballs, potatoes and carrots are thoroughly cooked
- Check the temperature and serve
† Some breads and pre packed breadcrumb products may
contain milk. Look out for the allergy warnings on pack
Chocolate & pear delight
(2 – 3 servings)
- 15 g cornflour
- 100 g tinned pears, in fruit juice
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder†
Method:
- Mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons of the fruit juice from the tinned pears
- Pour the soya/lactose-free formula into a saucepan, stir in the cocoa powder and warm gently
- Stir the cornflour paste into the warm soya infant formula and simmer for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring continuously
- Roughly chop the pear and stir into the chocolate mixture
- Check the temperature and serve
† Cocoa powder and drinking chocolate are not the same.
Look out for the allergy warnings on pack
Pineapple treat
(2 – 3 servings)
- 15 g custard powder†
- 100 g tinned pineapple, in fruit juice
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
Method:
- Mix the custard powder with 2 tablespoons of the fruit juice from the tinned pineapple
- Gently warm the soya/lactose-free formula in a saucepan before pouring over the custard paste, stirring continuously
- Return to the pan and simmer for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring continuously
- Roughly chop the pineapple and stir into the custard
- Check the temperature and serve
† Some cocoa and custard products list milk as an ingredient.
Look out for the allergy warnings on pack
Orange & lemon pudding
(2 – 3 servings)
- 15 g cornflour
- 100 g tinned mandarin oranges, in fruit juice
- 2 - 3 drops of lemon juice
- 150 ml soya/lactose-free formula
Method:
Mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons of the fruit juice from the tinned mandarin oranges and the lemon juice
- Pour the soya/lactose-free formula into a saucepan and warm gently
- Stir the cornflour paste into the warm soya/lactose-free formula and simmer for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring continuously
- Roughly chop the oranges and stir into the mixture
- Check the temperature and serve
Victoria sandwich*
(10 – 12 servings, contains eggs)
- 180 g caster sugar
- 180 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
- 3 eggs
- 180 g self-raising flour
- 1 - 2 tablespoons soya/lactose-free formula made up
- Oil for greasing
Variations:
For chocolate cake, replace 30 g of flour with 30 g cocoa powder†
For orange cake or lemon cake, add the grated rind of 1 orange or 1 lemon to the
cake mixture.
Method:
- Grease and line 2 x 7¼ inch sandwich tins
- Cream together sugar and margarine until light in colour and fluffy
- Gradually mix in the eggs, beating well after each addition
- Sieve the flour into the mixture and fold in with a metal spoon
- Add enough infant soya/lactose-free formula to form a soft, dropping consistency
- Divide the mixture between the two tins and spread evenly
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180oC (350oF, Gas Mark 4) for 25 minutes or until the centre of the sponge springs back when gently touched
- Turn out onto a wire tray and leave to cool
- Sandwich the cake together with jam or cream filling made with milk-free margarine and icing sugar - see cake filling ideas to the right
† Cocoa powder and drinking chocolate are not the same
Look out for the allergy warnings on pack
* Suitable for freezing
Orange cake filling
(2 – 3 servings)
- 120 g icing sugar, sieved
- 60 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
- Juice of ½ freshly squeezed orange
- 1 tablespoon soya/lactose-free formula powder
Method:
- Place icing sugar in a bowl and gradually beat in margarine
- Add orange juice and soya/lactose-free formula
- Beat until creamy
Variations:
For chocolate orange filling, beat 1 teaspoon cocoa powder dissolved in warm soya/lactose-free formula into the orange cake filling mixture.
For coffee filling, omit orange juice but add 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules dissolved in warm soya/lactose-free formula.
Birthday cake*
(10 – 12 servings, contains eggs)
- Victoria sandwich recipe, made up as chocolate cake
- 1 quantity of chocolate fudge icing (see below)
- 1 quantity of orange cake filling
- Cake decorations
Method:
- Sandwich the cakes together with half the orange cake filling (reserve the rest to decorate the top of the cake)
- Spread the top of the cake with chocolate fudge icing and leave to set
- Pipe rosettes of orange cake filling round the cake then, using a fine nozzle, pipe on ‘Happy Birthday’ (to get the right consistency, you may need to thin the icing with a little soya/lactose-free formula)
- Decorate with candles, ribbons, novelties…
* Suitable for freezing
Chocolate fudge icing*
- 60 g soft, dark brown sugar
- 90 ml soya/lactose-free formula
- 120 g milk-free chocolate†
- 45 g margarine (milk and dairy free)
Method:
- Dissolve sugar in soya/lactose-free formula over a low heat
- Bring mixture to the boil and simmer gently for 6 - 7 minutes, without stirring
- Remove from the heat and stir in the broken-up chocolate until melted
- Stir in the margarine
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cool, then cover with cling film and chill in
- the fridge until thick enough to spread over a cake
† Look out for allergy warnings on pack
* Suitable for freezing