Baby-friendly Beef, Mushroom and Olive Stew
This baby-friendly beef, mushroom and olive stew is a gently spiced main course of slow-cooked stewing steak in a smoked paprika and thyme broth. The Thermomix TM7 simmers the meat until fork-tender without supervision, giving a soft texture ideal for little ones while the whole family enjoys the rich, comforting flavour.
About this recipe
Baby-friendly beef, mushroom and olive stew in the Thermomix TM7 is the kind of recipe parents search for when they want one wholesome pot to feed both baby and the rest of the family. Cubes of stewing steak are dusted in plain flour and smoked paprika, then simmered with onions, mushrooms and a homemade chicken stock paste until the meat shreds at the touch of a spoon. Because this all-in-one kitchen machine stirs and holds a gentle cooking temperature by itself, you never need to stand over the hob worrying about the sauce sticking. The olives add a subtle briny depth that grown-ups love, while the long, slow cooking mellows everything into a mild, baby-safe flavour. Serve the tender stew with mashed potato or blend a portion smoother for younger babies. It is also an excellent make-ahead main course for weekend batch cooking, as the flavours deepen beautifully overnight in the fridge.
Preparation tips
- Cut the stewing steak into very small cubes so it becomes soft enough for little mouths; the flour coating helps thicken the sauce naturally as it simmers, giving a silky consistency babies can manage easily.
- Rinse the olives well before adding them to lower their saltiness, and taste the finished stew before serving to baby — you can always scoop out baby's portion before seasoning the rest for adults.
- This stew freezes wonderfully in small portions: freeze individual baby-sized servings in ice cube trays or small containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, stirring well.
Recipe variations
- For a salt-free baby version, replace the chicken stock paste with unsalted homemade vegetable stock and omit the olives, keeping the smoked paprika and thyme for gentle flavour that suits babies from six months onwards.
- For a seasonal autumn variation, add diced carrot and parsnip along with the mushrooms, and swap the rosemary for a pinch of nutmeg — a warming twist the whole family will enjoy with crusty bread.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weigh the plain flour and smoked paprika directly into the mixing bowl for exact seasoning with no measuring cups to wash up. [Precision Control]
- Chopping the onions in the Thermomix takes seconds and produces fine, even pieces that melt into the stew, with no tears at the chopping board. [Multi-Function]
- The TM7 gently heats the chicken stock and stewing steak at a steady low temperature, so the beef turns fork-tender without any burning or sticking. [Temperature Control]
- Steaming vegetables in the Varoma above the simmering stew keeps extra carrot or broccoli pieces soft yet full of nutrients for baby's side. [Multi-Function]
- Mixing the flour-dusted meat with the paprika oil coats every cube evenly in seconds, giving the sauce a consistent silky thickness. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- smoked paprika
- ground black pepper
- plain flour
- stewing steak
- olive oil
- onions
- chicken stock paste, homemade
- dried bay leaf
- fresh thyme
- fresh rosemary