Veggie Loaded Burger with Cajun Sauce
As summer approaches this recipe is all about making summer nights easy with a dinner that is perfect for the entire family – from babies to parents. I think this recipe is particularly good if you have a picky eater on your hands as it is fun to eat and burgers always feel like a treat.
So, hands up if you have trouble getting greens into your kids? Some kids love them, some kids just dislike the very idea of greens such as spinach or kale. The problem is that leafy greens are an essential part of our diets and we need to, try, to find ways to get our little (and bigger ones) enjoying these kinds of food. Easier said than done, I know. However, this recipe could help out if you have a picky eater or one who simply refuses to gobble up their vegetables. These handy little burgers contain veggies blended into the meat and so are a brilliant way to get some sneaky vegetables and greens into your little ones, especially if they are a picky eater.
Iron recipes for kids
The beef and spinach combination in these burgers mean that it is a super iron rich meal. Iron is one of the most vital minerals to include in our diets. Maintaining the right level of iron can help reduce tiredness and boost your immune system. Once your baby reaches six months old they enter a phase of rapid growth and at this time the iron stores that babies are born with starts to run out. Making sure you include iron rich solid foods in their diet from six months and beyond will ensure their iron needs are met. Iron assists with brain development and is also needed to create haemoglobin – the protein in our blood that carries oxygen around the body. And, let’s face it, anything that helps the adults combat tiredness can’t be bad!! You can read more about the importance of Iron for babies & toddlers here.
Combining the veggies into the burgers means that they are easier for smaller babies to eat, food that can be held easily by small hands are perfect for baby led weaning as they allow your little one to take some control of their eating, and the mess is reduced! Win, win!
Weekend Fake Away Recipes
Burgers like this are also a great option for batch cooking, make them ahead of time and freeze with a small piece of parchment paper between each patty like the photo above.
Aileen xoxoxo
Veggie Loaded Burger with Cajun Sauce
Ingredients
- 750 g sweet potato
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons Irish rapeseed oil
- 6 wholegrain crackers
- 500 g Irish Beef
- 1 teaspoon dried coriander
- Black pepper to season
- 2 eggs
- 100 g spinach leaves
- 4 brioche buns
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- 1 avocado sliced
- Lambs lettuce
- 50 g grated cheese
- 120 ml natural yogurt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chilli powder optional
Method
- Preheat oven to 180ºC.
- Wash the sweet potatoes, then cut into thick chips. Place onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, then drizzle over the rapeseed oil, cumin seeds and sweet paprika. Use your hands to completely coat the chips, then bake in the oven for around 30 minutes until they are cooked through.
- Meanwhile, use a pastel and mortar to grind the crackers into a fine powder, add to a bowl along with the beef, dried coriander and season with a little black pepper. Place the eggs and spinach leaves into blender and blend until smooth. Pour over the meat, then use a spoon to stir well until it is fully combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8, then mould each part into burgers. For babies, the meat can be divided again into smaller burgers roughly the size of the palm of their hand.
- Heat a little rapeseed oil in a frying pan, then cook the burgers until they are golden both sides and cooked through but still juicy. Roughly 3 minutes each side.
- To make the sauce, place all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir really well until the sauce turns pink and the spices are mixed through.
- For adults – Serve the burgers on a brioche bun with sliced tomato, avocado, cheese and a dollop of sauce.
- For babies – serve the mini burger with a little melted cheese and a slice of tomato and avocado and a little sauce.
*
Recipe Notes & Tips
Writen by Aileen Cox Blundell - number one bestselling author, award winning blogger and Mum of 3 kiddies who all eat their veggies.
You might also like these dinner recipes
Videos
MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Blueberry Oat Bars
Up next
Baby Led Weaning Chilli Baked Bean Cowboy Pie
Videos
MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Baby Led Weaning Chilli Baked Bean Cowboy Pie
Up next
Apple and Cinnamon Super Breakfast Muffins
Videos
MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Apple and Cinnamon Super Breakfast Muffins
Up next
Chicken and Veggie Pies
Videos
MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Chicken and Veggie Pies
Up next
Broccoli and Cauliflower Egg Free Fritters
Videos
MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Leave a comment: