This is a version of pulled beef meaning the beef will be fall-apart tender – the perfect texture for baby. Serve as pulled beef tucked into pita or naan for a handheld dinner or serve with rice if you like.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours 11 minutes
Serves 8 (adult servings)
Ingredients
2 tbsp (30 mL) ground sumac
1 tsp (5 mL) EACH ground allspice and coriander
½ tsp (2 mL) EACH ground cardamom, cumin and pepper
¾ tsp (4 mL) salt (approx, optional*)
2 lb (1 kg) Beef Boneless Bottom Blade Pot Roast
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
4 red onions, thinly sliced
12 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 mL) beef broth* (see Baby/Toddler Fast Adapt)
¼ cup (60 mL) fresh lemon juice
Almond Tahini Sauce
1 head garlic
½ cup (125 mL) olive oil, divided
¼ cup (60 mL) tahini
3 tbsp (45 mL) almond butter
2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh lemon juice
½ tsp (2 mL) salt (optional*)
To Serve
Pitas
Diced tomatoes
Torn lettuce
Sliced almonds
Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Combine sumac, allspice, coriander, cardamom, cumin, pepper and salt to your taste (*omit salt at this stage if cooking for baby).
- Pat roast dry with paper towel. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven or enamelled cast-iron roaster; brown beef all over, turning with tongs, for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add onions, garlic and spice mixture to pot; cook, stirring for 1 minute. Stir in broth and lemon juice. Return meat and any accumulated juices to pot.
- Cover and cook in preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for 2 to 3 hours or until fork-tender.
- Almond Tahini Sauce: Meanwhile, slice about ¼ inch (5 mm) off head of garlic to expose the cloves. Place garlic on a sheet of foil. Drizzle a little olive oil on the exposed cloves. Fold the foil around the garlic to enclose. Place foil packet in a small baking dish and roast in the oven, alongside the beef, for 45 minutes, until very soft.
- Unwrap garlic and let cool slightly. Squeeze soft garlic out of the skins into blender; discard skins. Add remaining oil, tahini, almond butter, lemon juice and ¼ cup (60 mL) water. Blend on low speed, then gradually increase to high speed and blend until smooth. Stir in salt* to taste (if cooking for baby omit salt at this stage). Set aside.
- Transfer beef roast to a bowl. Cut off strings and use two forks to shred the meat. Skim fat from the sauce; combine with the shredded beef.
- To serve for Baby/Toddler, see modified textures (below). For the rest of the family, season beef and sauce mixture with salt to taste. Serve in a pita with tomatoes, lettuce, almonds and parsley, as desired. Drizzle with a spoonful of Almond Tahini Sauce.
Tip: Extra Almond Tahini Sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Use a dip for vegetables or to dress a grain salad.
Per adult serving made with measured salt in beef and Almond Tahini Sauce:
350 Calories, 26 g Protein, 23 g Fat, 11 g Carbohydrate, 470 mg Sodium
%DV: Iron 19% (Good Source), Zinc 73% (Excellent Source), Vitamin B12 85% (Excellent Source)
Baby/Toddler Fast Adapt
Guiding principles
- *Prepare the beef and tahini sauce without salt.
- *Use no-salt-added beef broth.
- Before serving, heat up all baby food until hot, then cool to lukewarm
Puréed Texture
Combine shredded beef mixture in a blender or food processor. Blend until you reach a consistency that suits your baby’s ability, adding water, breastmilk or formula if necessary. Serve tahini sauce alongside or fold it into the mixture.
Chunky Mash
Place shredded beef mixture in a blender or food processor. Pulse slightly until you reach a consistency that suits your baby’s ability, adding water, breastmilk or formula if necessary. Serve tahini sauce alongside or fold it into the mixture.
Toddler Finger Foods
Serve shredded beef mixture with rice or bite-sized pieces of pita. Offer tahini sauce alongside or drizzle it over the beef. Offer utensils.
