Anyone who is into nutrition knows that iron is really important for babies and children and therefore I’m always trying to get iron rich foods into my kids anyway I can. Red meat is high in iron so I try to give my kids beef 2-3 times a week. The Boy actually loves it so here are my 3 favourite beef recipes that as usual are so easy, nutritious and yummy!

Beef (and barley) stew:

Upfront I am going to say that this is in no way a quick recipe but it is so easy and delicious that its worth the few hours it takes to cook. Mr MyMiniMeals and I really enjoy it too but for us I add in more seasoning and some barley although the kids do like it with barley too. If I don’t use barley I serve it with mashed potato, rice or couscous.

1 pack cubed chuck beef / casserole beef

Half a butternut squash

2 carrots

1 medium onion

Tomato puree

400g tin of chopped tomatoes

200 ml water

Pinch of cinnammon

200g uncooked pearl barley (optional)

Seasoning – optional

Brown the beef in a pan with some olive oil. Cut the squash into chunks and add to the beef. Then add carrots, onion, water,  a few squeezes of tomato puree and chopped tomatoes and bring to the boil. Simmer for approximately 4 hours until the meat falling is apart and the squash has disintegrated so the sauce is thickened. If you are going to use the barley then add it after the beef has been cooking for 3 hours. This freezes beautifully and I freeze it in portions for the children.

Quick and easy Bolognaise:

250g passata

500g beef mince

A large cup / mug of any frozen or fresh vegetables (I used cauliflower and carrots for this picture)

A small onion or half a large onion

A clove of garlic

Brown the mince in some oil in a pan making sure the beef is not in large ‘clumps’ but separated (I just chop it in the pan with my spatula). Add the onion and garlic and brown them too. Add the passata and bring to the boil then turn the heat down and simmer. Meanwhile cook the vegetables in the microwave or on the hob in a pan of water. Once cooked either finely chop or puree (I do the latter so that The Boy can’t see that I’ve added veg). Add the vegetables to the meat mixture and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce is slightly thicker. I freeze this in portions and this recipe makes 6 portions for my 6year old and my 16month old.

Beef “Any Mince Burgers”

I posted this recipe a few weeks ago and I have to say it is really delicious with any mince but the kids probably have the beef and the turkey ones most regularly. I find that “Steak Mince” or the highest fat type of beef mince is best for burgers as any lean cut won’t have enough fat to keep the burgers moist. I freeze them by wrapping each one individually in clingfilm so I can take out as many as I need as and when necessary.