Taco night is often the ‘Tuesday’ special at Canadian tables. Perhaps this dish is popular since it gets everyone involved in customizing dinner. If you are introducing your baby to solids around the 6-month mark, read on for ideas on how you can introduce your baby to foods the whole family already loves – like tacos!
Note: For the Puréed Texture stage use thawed frozen spinach instead of lettuce.
Watch the quick 1-MINUTE VIDEO
or the full COOK-ALONG VIDEO
Beef Tacos
Ingredients
1 lb (500g) Ground Beef
1 small onion, diced
2 tbsp (30 mL) Tex-Mex seasoning*
8 small (6-inch/15 cm) whole wheat flour tortillas
1 cup (250 mL) canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup (250 mL) shredded lettuce or thawed frozen chopped spinach
1 cup (250 mL) diced tomatoes
½ cup (125 mL) EACH shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, diced ripe avacado or guacamole
Instructions
1. Cook ground beef over medium-high heat in a large skillet, stirring often and using the back of a spoon to break up meat into small chunks, for 8 minutes or until browned. Stir in onion and Tex-Mex seasoning, cook, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.
2. To serve for Baby/Toddler, see modified textures (below). For the rest of the family, serve as a “make your own meal” with tortillas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, avacado or guacamole.
Notes
*Tip: Look for a no-sodium version of Tex-Mex seasoning in the spice section at the grocery store or make your own: 1 tsp (5 mL) EACH chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ½ tsp (2 mL) EACH garlic powder and dried oregano leaves. Store in a sealed container for up to 6 months.
Baby/Toddler Fast Adapt
Basic Guidelines:
• Prepare recipe without adding salt except for Toddler stage
• Cook beef to 160°F (71°C)
• Before serving, heat up all baby food until hot, then cool to lukewarm temperature
Puréed Texture: Combine ¼ cup (60 mL) EACH cooked Tex-Mex beef mixture and beans, 2 tbsp (30 mL) EACH thawed frozen spinach and diced tomatoes and 1 tbsp (15 mL) EACH salsa and water in a small food processor; process for about 1 minute or until you reach a consistency that suits your baby’s ability.
Tip: This mixture may make more than enough for one meal. Any extra that has not been offered to baby can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Chunky Mash: Combine ¼ cup (60 mL) EACH cooked Tex-Mex beef mixture and beans, 2 tbsp (30 mL) EACH frozen spinach, diced tomatoes and water and 1 tbsp (15 mL) EACH sour cream and salsa in a serving bowl. Use two knives to chop ingredients into smaller pieces and mix together.
Tip: This mixture may make more than enough for one meal. Any extra that has not been offered to baby can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Toddler Finger Foods: Arrange cooked Tex-Mex beef mixture, beans, tortilla, torn into pieces, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and salsa in a bowl. Optional: mix salsa and sour cream together and offer as a dip.
