Super Simple Beef and Cheese Sticks for Babies
Ultra-Easy Beef Cheese Sticks: Perfect for Picky Eaters!
This recipe was created out of a parent’s thoughtful consideration for their 7-month-old baby who was refusing baby food. Observing the baby’s interest in adult food, the idea was to create a stick-shaped food that mimics what adults eat. These delightful sticks are designed to encourage self-feeding, boost a baby’s sense of accomplishment, and provide essential nutrients from beef and cheese in a delicious and healthy way. It’s an ideal, simple snack for parents struggling with picky eaters.
Main Ingredients- 90g ground beef (lean cut)
- 1/2 piece baby cheese (Stage 1, approx. 15g)
- 20g early-stage rice flour
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the necessary ingredients for the recipe. You’ll need 90g of ground beef, half a piece of Stage 1 baby cheese (about 15g), and 20g of early-stage rice flour. For the cheese, it’s helpful to divide it into about three equal parts to fit the stick shape. This cheese will become the moist and creamy center that babies absolutely love!
Step 2
In a wide bowl, combine the 90g of ground beef and 20g of early-stage rice flour. The rice flour helps to increase the viscosity of the beef mixture, making it easier to form and hold the stick shape. Knead the mixture with your hands until it becomes a cohesive dough. Kneading it thoroughly, similar to making mochi dough, will ensure the sticks maintain their shape during steaming and don’t fall apart, leading to a successful outcome.
Step 3
Now, shape the well-kneaded beef mixture into an elongated oval shape that’s easy for your baby to hold. Gently press it with your palms to form the oval, then make a slight indentation in the center. Carefully place the prepared baby cheese strip into this indentation. Imagine the cheese melting lusciously inside as you create these, making them extra appealing for your little one. When they hold and bite into it, the gooey cheese will further capture their interest.
Step 4
Gently wrap the beef mixture around the cheese, ensuring it’s fully enclosed. Pinch the edges of the dough together to prevent the cheese from leaking out, and carefully shape the entire piece into a long, stick-like form. It’s important to make the size and shape comfortable for your baby’s small hands to grasp and eat. You’ve now successfully created these appetizing beef and cheese stuffed sticks.
Step 5
Place the finished beef and cheese sticks onto a steamer. Steam them over medium heat for 10 minutes. Make sure there’s enough water in the steamer before you begin, and add the sticks once the water is boiling and steam is rising. Ten minutes is the perfect amount of time to ensure the beef is cooked through and the cheese melts into a wonderfully gooey center. You’ll already start smelling the delicious aroma as they steam!
Step 6
Ta-da! Your beef and cheese sticks, steamed with care for 10 minutes, are ready. They have a soft exterior and a delicious, melty cheese filling inside, creating a taste and texture that babies adore. Even babies who have been refusing baby food will enjoy the satisfaction of eating these ‘adult-like’ stick snacks themselves, all while getting essential nutrition. Let them cool slightly before serving safely to your baby. We’re sure you’ll be eager to see your baby’s reaction!
