Zainab Jagot Ahmed - Yummy Indian SuperMeals for Kids: Mini-Taster Edition!

Meet the author and her inspiration...

Zainab Jagot Ahmed worked in marketing in the fashion, entertainment and retail industries before having her daughter Aaliyah. Having always been a passionate cook, when Zainab began the weaning process, she was keen to introduce Asian flavours early to both broaden her daughter's palate and to introduce her to her culinary heritage. However, she discovered there were no baby and toddler cookbooks with Asian or Asian influenced recipes.

After researching spices, dietary recommendations and various superfoods, Zainab began inventing her own dishes and soon friends were asking for recipes. Now shes giving everyone the chance to try them at home.

You can stay in touch with Zainab through her blog, twitter or facebook page:

www.ZainabJagotAhmed.com
t: @ZainabJagAhmed
f: facebook.com/ZainabJagotAhmed

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" Finally, the Asian answer to Annabel Karmel " - Asian Image. Aug 2012

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" OMG this may well become my weaning bible "

- Mellow Mummy, Tots 100 UK Parent Blogger. Oct 2012

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" quite frankly compared to other main brand baby meals that call themselves a 'curry', Zainab's Indian SuperMeals are in a league of their own. "

- The Mummy Blogger, Tots 100 UK Parent Blogger. Oct 2012

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" Whether you are of Asian descent or not, and whether you've already started the weaning process with your little one or been through it before with older children, I highly recommend this book. "

- Ramblings of a Sussex Mummy, Tots 100 UK Parent Blogger. Oct 2012

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Introduction

Curry might be the UKs favourite dish but often parents shy away from introducing spices and Asian flavours to their babys food Indian SuperMeals: Baby and Toddler Cookbook, is filled with simple and delicious dishes which will bring new tastes to your childs meal times and make sure they are nutritionally packed too.

Authentic Indian dishes tend to be aromatic and flavourful rather than hot and spicy so they are perfect to excite young palates. Simply adding a pinch of coriander or a dash of cinnamon can transform the taste and experience of old favourites for children from seven months up. With nutritionists recommending a reduction in the amount of salt and sugar children consume, the use of spices can help create meals that are anything but bland and add variety to even the cheapest and most simple ingredients.

Spices can improve more than just the taste of food too, author Zainab Jagot Ahmed discovered certain health benefits in the ingredients she was researching, such as how cinnamon can help with teething pains and cumin can boost the immune system for cold and flu protection as well as being great for settling stomachs.

Its not just the spices which are super either. Zainab has ensured that all the ingredients are nutritionally dense and packed with great benefits for growing bodies and brains. From quinoa to pulses, oily fish to veggies with vitamins, every mouthful will pack a healthy punch.

Indian SuperMeals does not just include amazing recipes for curries, rotis (chapattis) and rice. Zainab has also put an Indian twist on old favourites like Salmon Risotto, Lamb Tagine and Vegetable Paella. Even the least confident of cooks will find making Zainabs recipes childs play thanks to the clear photos of the finished dish on every page and the very straight forward and easy to follow method. Anyone unfamiliar with Asian spices just needs to follow the stage one and stage two spice starter kit shopping list. All can be found in big supermarkets and there are no chillies involved!

The book is divided into easy to access sections. The recipes are grouped according to food rather than age group making the dishes relevant throughout childhood just add quarter of a teaspoon rather than a pinch as directed in seven month meals and its suitable for toddlers too.

So whether you fancy whipping up Vegetarian, Fish, Meat or Family SuperMeals, its quick and easy to find the perfect dish. Also, for children who love their sweet treats Zainab has even found ways of making traditionally rich, sugary dishes like Gajar Halwa healthy by using super foods like carrots and raisins to naturally sweeten the dish.

The full version of 'Indian SuperMeals: Baby and Toddler Cookbook, the UKs FIRST Indian baby food cookbook, (published by Autharium) contains over 60 yummy, nutritious, baby-friendly recipes and is now available to buy now from all good online book stores.

In the meantime, use 'Yummy Indian SuperMeals for Kids: Mini-Taster Edition!' to try out a small selection of tasty recipes from the book.

Note: Meals suitable for freezing must be frozen as soon as possible after cooling. To re-heat frozen food, thaw in the fridge and heat until piping hot. Allow cooling before serving to baby.

Stage 2: 7 Months Plus Recipes

Stage 2: 7 months plus: Babies ready for new textures, soft lumps, new tastes and flavours by introducing tiny amounts of spices to tempt curious little taste buds. Self-feeding begins.

Banana and Blueberry Raita(V) Stage 2

A delicious, naturally sweet fresh fruit raita...

- SuperFoods included : banana, blueberries, yogurt

- SuperSpices included: ground ginger

This one is a SuperFood and SuperSpice bonanza because every ingredient has amazing health benefits. Yogurt is probiotic and calcium-rich, the potassium (in bananas) works efficiently to aid calcium absorption, leading to strong teeth and bones for baby. The blueberries add an extra boost of vitamin C and K, and the ginger keeps the digestive tract in healthy working order.

Total preparation time: 3-4mins

Makes 1 serving

1 banana peeled, sliced

Handful of blueberries fresh, washed, halved

2-3 tbsp plain unsweetened yogurt

Sprinkle of ground ginger

Place the banana and blueberries in a bowl, spoon in the yogurt and sprinkle over the ginger.

Mash the fruit with a spoon to create soft lumps for baby, and stir. The yogurt will change colour from white to a very subtle shade of purple courtesy of the blueberries. Serve to baby as a dessert, or a healthy between meals snack.

Gajar Halwa, one of the most famous Indian desserts.

- SuperFoods included: carrots, raisins

- SuperSpices included: cardamom, cinnamon

The key ingredient being the SuperFood carrot, so you know this dish is bursting with beta-carotene goodness. Raisins too contain antioxidant power of their own, excellent for eye and bone health and for fighting bacteria in the mouth, protecting your little ones baby teeth from tooth decay. Since this delicious dessert is bursting with nutritional value, it can be served either as a snack or after meal treat.

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Total preparation and cooking time: 20mins

Makes 3-4 servings

Suitable for freezing

1 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee

1 whole cardamom pod green