Vegan Spiced Apple Lentil Muffins ~ Toddler Friendly

Need an easy protein boost for your little one? That's what I was thinking when I realized that raising a child as a vegetarian seems easy, but because of the lack of animal-based proteins, I may be limiting my daughter's nutrition! Bleh :s

So! I'm not a huge lentil fan, but how can you not like those little legumes when encased within a soft, fluffy muffin? Impossible! My first attempt at the recipe using a gluten free oat flour proved tasty, but far too mooshy...as if all the moisture in the world resided in one muffin. So here it is an updated, non-gluten free version!

Recipe Deets (use organic whenever possible!)

1 cup cooked lentils
1 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (I added more and it helped with the muffin's "form")
pinch of sea salt
cinnamon to taste
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or any type of sugar)
1/4 cup cocnut oil (or olive oil...adds moisture and flavor)
3 tbsp maple syrup (flavor...so feel free to add less sugar because of the maple syrup)
1 cup shredded apple (1 large apple)
1 flax egg (or reg egg if not vegan)

Preheat oven to 375°

- In one bowl mix wet ingredients, and in another bowl mix dry (other than apple)
- Fold dry into wet
- Add apples
- Distribute evenly in muffin pan
- Bake 20 minutes

The great thing about this recipe is that you can substitute the ingredients in accordance to how much sugar/oil you prefer in your baking.

My tiny lady goes crazy for these things! They are perfect snack sized and packed with protein!

 

First Foods: Banana Whip

This one is super easy!

I usually buy about 3 pounds of bananas at a local fruit and vegetable market for about $1.25. I store them by peeling the bananas and putting them in the freezer (in a freezer safe zip lock) for future use.

Recipe Deets

3 frozen bananas (some for yourself also haha)

- Use either a homogenizer, high powered blender, or food processor
- Process the bananas until they are a custard
- Serve cold!

such the lady

Easy peasy!

First Foods: Apple Sauce

My 5 month old daughter is somewhat of a picky eater. Scratch that, she pretends she is a picky eater. Any new puree we introduce her to is met with a face of pure distaste and utter disgust, followed by an apparently uncontrollable tremor which erupts abruptly and travels throughout her body. It's suffice to say that she can be a tad bit dramatic.

In the beginning, oh about a month ago, I used to become quickly discouraged and sort of took her reaction as a fault of my own doing, as if I couldn't create for her the most amazing, tasty, stupendous baby puree on the planet! Two weeks pass, and I know the routine all too well. Drama-baby is always present on Day One of a new taste. Fine by me little Miss! I'm on to your tricks...

Now for the recipe! I ate hoards of apples during my pregnancy, one may say an entire apple grove was consumed over the course of 39 weeks, so what better homemade puree to create for my budding bambino than some applesauce??

Recipe Deets

5 apples of choice (peeled and cut, I used Golden Delicious)
1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
a dash of cinnamon
1 cup water

- Throw your diced apple into a medium pot with about 1/2 cup of water and lemon juice.
- Cover and allow to come to a boil
- Reduce heat to medium high and continue to stir every so often until tender
- Add your cinnamon
- Use a food processor or hand blender to puree until smooth - continue to add water until mixture is safe for babies!

Easy Peasy!