Blackstrap/blackstrop molasses

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

...is an excellent source of iron and other minerals and has a rich (relatively healthy) sweetness to it.

I'm slightly concerned about DD's iron levels as a vegetarian toddler who's not a terribly adventurous eater, so I figure using molasses is one way of introducing a bit of extra iron into her diet in an enjoyable way.

But I could use some ideas! So far I'm thinking flapjacks..... anyone got any other suggestions?

Traditional Boston Baked Beans or Slow Cooked Boston Baked Beans Obviously you'd leave out the pork but both haricot beans and the molasses (HFW says treacle but that's what he means) are good sources of iron.

You could substitute red lentils for the pork (I make it with meat but pad out with lentils) I think red lentils good for you. It's v tasty any way!

am going to try the slow cooked boston beans and substitute breast of lamb for the pork as don't eat pork..breast of lamb is fatty so should work

i've made slow cooked baked beans without any meat and they are yum

Mmm, nice idea - thanks! DH and I would certainly love the Boston baked beans - sadly, I've yet to witness DD eating a bean, but I live in hope !
Good suggestion, though.

Thanks for the links, Cogito

I find chunks of grilled halloumi or (for a softer, less salty experience) smoked, braised or marinaded tofu to be good substitutes for meats in stews and casseroles.

And yep, lentils are a superfood - they really punch above their weight when it comes to nutritional value (another thing I've had hit-and-miss - mostly miss - results when it comes to feeding them to DD....).

My children like hot milk with a tablespoon of treacle mixed into it. It tastes kind of caramelly.

Ooh, there's an idea. DD isn't overkeen on milk as a drink BUT she quite enjoys it in the form of smoothies/lassis etc. so I wonder if your suggestion might kill two birds with one stone, stressed....

(DD has just turned 2yo, btw)

Not molasses related but would she eat quinoa as that's got iron in it?

I often add quinoa as a soup thickener and whizz it up. Sadly, DD has recently turned her nose up at soup too - although I'm not without my hopes that she will go back to it at some point.

I didn't realise quinoa was a source of iron, what a brilliant thing it is!!

Grainy textures haven't yet met with much enthusiasm either, so offering quinoa in its normal form probably wouldn't find favour. That said, she's started to take a mild interest in cous-cous, so I might start adding a little quinoa to that...

yes try it with cous cous.or just give her a bowl and a spoon with it in and see? If you ignore her she may nibble at it? I found (and still find) not making any fuss the best way to get them to try stuff. Does she eat porridge? Maybe add some to that? Or even sweeten it?

Ways with quinoa.... who knew?? I have a bag think I'll make some muffins with it?

Muffins think I'll make some of these but add blueberries? I'll get ds2 to help and he'll east some hopefully,

eat pah!

Nice one, CuriousMama!

Good luck with the quinoa. I had some today, mixed with peppers tomatoes and a dressing of lemon juice, oil and touch of honey, plus some seasoning. Was rather nice and funnily enough I had more energy that I've had of late. I was thinking to myself tonight what have I done differently today and quinoa is the only difference. It is supposed to be a super food? I'll keep on with it and see how I feel?

Forgot to say I haven't tried making muffins with it yet but may do tomorrow? I'm glad I mentioned it though as it's made me actually use this bag. I've had it before and made veggie stews etc.. with it added.

Yes, I love the look of the spicy carrot quinoa muffins in the first link (getting carrot into DD would be another win as far as I'm concerned!!)

Quinoa is pretty amazing stuff, isn't it?! I must admit I'm not in the habit of using it as much as I could, but one easy way is as a simple thickener/protein addition to tomato and vegetable sauce for pasta. It's very versatile stuff...

Thanks for the tip re: sauce. I may make that for dss tonight?

Cool! Let me know how it went down...

Quick update:

I added some cooked quinoa to DD's squidgy oat bars, but it dried out too much in the cooking process and has made the texture a bit too crunchy. Think I'll just add a tbs of quinoa flour next time! The molasses added a nice flavour (I only put in two tsp)

I put a teeny bit of molasses in the warm milk for DD's cereal out of curiosity and she was just as keen on it as usual, so I guess the slightly more toffee-type flavour didn't put her off!