Holly says: “I wish I’d thought of this before. How many hours of my life have I devoted to stirring ragu sauce for my children? Too many! This is a roasted alternative to the usual hob cooked version and is all the better for it. The meat and vegetables are just that little bit sweeter for having been allowed to roast in the oven.”
Ingredients
500g mince beef
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into 2cm rings
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp oregano
2 tbsp olive oil
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato puree
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6.
Break the mince up with your hands into small strands and sprinkle into a large roasting tray.
Add the finely chopped onion, chopped carrots, pepper, oregano and oil and stir well.
Bake for 15 minutes until the meat has started to brown.
Give it a good stir with a wooden spoon and add the tinned tomatoes, plus one tin full of cold water (fill the empty tin up at the tap), the tomato puree and the garlic.
Stir well and return to the oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
Remove from the oven after 45 minutes or when the sauce has reduced down.
Then either serve as it is, mashing the carrots down a little to evenly distribute them, or puree with a handheld blender.
Serve with pasta and/or green beans. Add a little grated cheese before serving.
Holly’s top tip: Keeps in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days or freezes well for 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot. Stir well and always check the heat of baby food before serving.
About the Chef
Organix launches ‘Babies Who Lunch’ campaign with Holly Bell
Holly Bell, finalist in the Great British Bake Off and author of Recipes from a Normal Mum, launches the ‘Babies Who Lunch’ campaign with Organix, the baby and toddler food brand. The campaign encourages parents to get together and share their weaning experiences. To support families on their baby’s food journey, the ‘Babies Who Lunch’ campaign looks at the benefits of sharing experiences and getting together at mealtimes with other parents and their little ones. Both psychologists and parents say social experiences have had a positive impact on their little ones being more open to trying new foods. With Holly Bell, who is currently weaning her third son Lawrence, and a group of her friends who are weaning their little ones, Organix has made a ‘Babies Who Lunch’ short film to show their experiences of weaning together: #babieswholunch
Makes about 30 ice cube sized portions / serves 4
