Sweet Zucchini and Dried Shrimp Stir-fry
(Baby Food) Delicious Sweet Zucchini and Dried Shrimp Stir-fry
This is a baby side dish made for my 21-month-old son. Since we don’t use much seasoning for his food yet, I focus on bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients, infused with plenty of mother’s love. This recipe is designed to be nutritious and appealing to young children.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 zucchini (about the size of a baby’s fist)
- 1/3 cup dried baby shrimp (lightly pan-fried to remove any fishy smell)
- 150ml mushroom and vegetable broth (or plain water if unavailable)
Seasoning- 1 tsp sesame oil (total, baby-grade)
- 0.5 tsp baby soy sauce (or mild Korean soy sauce)
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic (optional)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (total, baby-grade)
- 0.5 tsp baby soy sauce (or mild Korean soy sauce)
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients. Wash the zucchini thoroughly and cut it into thin slices, about 0.3cm thick. Then, cut these slices into four bite-sized pieces. For the dried baby shrimp, lightly pan-fry them in a dry skillet to get rid of any potential fishy odor.
Step 2
Heat a non-stick pan over low heat and add 0.5 tsp of sesame oil. Add the minced garlic and the prepared dried baby shrimp. Stir-fry gently over very low heat until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This step builds a savory foundation.
Step 3
Slice the zucchini into thin pieces, approximately 0.3cm thick. Thinner slices will cook more evenly and quickly, making them easier for babies to chew. Cut each slice into four pieces for convenient feeding.
Step 4
Once the dried shrimp and garlic are fragrant, add the sliced zucchini to the pan. Stir-fry together with the shrimp until the zucchini begins to turn slightly translucent.
Step 5
After stir-frying for a moment, pour in the 150ml of mushroom and vegetable broth. Ensure the liquid covers the ingredients halfway to allow flavors to meld. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer. This steaming process ensures the zucchini becomes tender and cooked through, perfect for little ones. Cook for about 5 minutes.
Step 7
Remove the lid. Check if most of the liquid has evaporated and the flavors have concentrated. Stir in the remaining 0.5 tsp of sesame oil and 0.5 tsp of baby soy sauce. Mix well to ensure even distribution of seasoning. Adjust the seasoning according to your baby’s preference.
Step 8
Once everything is well combined and cooked, your ‘Sweet Zucchini and Dried Shrimp Stir-fry’ is ready! This nutritious and flavorful dish is a wonderful addition to your baby’s meal. Serve warm.
