First prepare all your vegetables. Very finely chop the onion and celery and dice the carrots, potatoes and dried apricots into 1cm cubes (so they are comfortable bite-size pieces for your baby and all the family). Crush the garlic.

Cut the beef chunks into bite size pieces (approx. 2-3cm x 2-3cm cubes), then sear over a medium to high heat, in a little olive oil in a large heavy based pot (with a lid), so that the meat is sealed on all sides. Remove from the pot and pop on a side plate.

Reduce the heat to low, add another small splash of olive oil to the pot and gently sauté the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Then add the garlic, celery, carrot, potato and apricots, and then the rosemary, bay leaf and all the spices. Cook for another 10 minutes until beginning to soften. Add the beef chunks back into the pot. Rinse the beans well, drain and add to the pot. Finally, stir in the tin of tomatoes and the water. Add enough water so all the ingredients are covered.

Turn up the heat and allow it to gently bubble for a couple of minutes, then reduce the heat to medium/low, put a lid on and leave to do its magic for 30 minutes (put a timer on). After 30 minutes remove the lid, stir well, and cook for a further 30 minutes without the lid, so the cooking liquid reduces to a thick sauce (add a little more water if it’s looking too dry , or reduce the heat a little).

Remove the bay leaf and sprigs of rosemary before serving, and you can use a fork to gently break the chunks of meat up a little smaller if necessary. The longer you cook this stew the better it gets, so you get on with something else. The slow cooked meat is really tender, so it can be easily broken into smaller bite size pieces for younger babies. This dish can also be mashed or blended for young babies that still prefer a purée.

This is sure to become one of your favourite beef recipes for baby! Our beef stew for baby and family is perfect for baby led weaning, a cold winter's evening or as an everyday meal.

No need to add anything else to this one-pot wonder - the baby beef stew has all it needs for a warming winter food hug! If you are feeling a little more adventurous, try substituting the beef for venison; it makes a great alternative to the beef and apricot stew. Why not give it a try?

If you freeze this dish, then defrost thoroughly and reheat until piping hot.