Zainab Jagot Ahmed, winner of the Bizziebaby Gold award and Silver at the Prima Baby Awards 2015, is the cook and author of several vibrant baby food recipe collections. A career she puts down to her ‘little angel’, born in 2011 to whom she “owes everything. I’ve always enjoyed cooking” she continued to gush “but it was after the birth of my daughter that I felt inspired to turn my attention to cooking nutrient-rich, homemade baby food.” Also a freelance marketing consultant, Zainab not only encapsulates the go-getting spirit of modern motherhood, but shows it to be joyous. The pizazz of her dishes reflects a rewarding life-choice:
Why the niche market of Indian baby food?
Being Asian myself, I was keen to introduce my daughter to aromatic Asian flavours early when I began the weaning process, both to broaden my daughter’s palate and to introduce her to her culinary heritage. There were no dedicated baby and toddler cookbooks and blogs at the time with Asian or Asian influenced recipes so I began researching spices, dietary recommendations and various super foods. I also researched spices to see if there was any scientific research to suggest that spices weren’t safe for baby and there was none! From there, I had invented my own Indian-inspired baby-friendly meals. I’ve had great responses to the concept of weaning with spices where my cookbook showcases this. I receive messages daily from mums who have tried my recipes on their fussy eaters and they’ve actually eaten the meals!
You worked in fashion for a while. How did the transition into baby food come about?
Working in London has given me the confidence to try out new things, and really go for my dreams. I’m not sure I would have achieved as much if I’d stayed in my home town. Whilst on maternity leave with my daughter I decided to take a step back from the fashion industry and start my own business to allow flexible working hours and spend as much time with my daughter as possible.
You look very young and fresh. How do you balance motherhood and personal health and wellbeing?
Thank you! It is definitely hard work trying to balance all three, but I always make sure we eat well-balanced meals, eat lots of fruit and drink plenty of water as a family. I also try to get as much exercise in as I can - usually in the evenings after my little one has gone to sleep.
Tell me about the upcoming Baby Show at the NEC in Birmingham?
I will be giving a talk on weaning with aromatic spices and you can find me on the Made For Mums stage on Friday the 15th and Saturday 16th May. I’ll be available to answer questions from expectant parents and media attendance afterwards. I’ll then head to my stand (E106) to sign copies of my cookbook ‘Easy Indian Super Meals for Babies, Toddlers and the Family’.
Do you just deal in baby food, or do you branch out to family meals?
Yes I do - I create lots of family meals. I had one Facebook follower who said some of the best curries she’d ever cooked had been from one of my recipes. I love it when adults enjoy my meals just as much as children. There are plenty of family recipes in the cookbook. All of the family recipes can be tailored to suit both a toddler and adult taste buds!
Do you have any tips for mums who are trying to balance work and family life?
It’s important to be organised. Use a meal planner (you can download them for free from my website – www.ZainabJagotAhmed.com). It’s great for avoiding food wastage, reducing costs and saving time in that busy schedule. It’s also useful to dedicate just one hour each weekend to preparing meals in advance and if you wish, you can freeze meals too.
Do babies respond to different flavours, and if so how does this help them?
Absolutely! Weaning with aromatic spices is a great idea for baby and it’s perfectly safe. Aromatic spices are an excellent substitute to adding salt and sugar to provide much-needed flavour in baby meals; the mouth-watering aroma spices release when cooked makes food tastier when eaten; and the range of spice flavours available allows parents to offer a wider variety of meals in a baby’s diet - helping to broaden palates and reduce difficult eating behaviours.
What do you do to blow off some mummy steam?
Running on my treadmill and going to the cinema. I love any movie Marvel has worked its magic on.
What do your recipe books usually offer, and what can we look forward to with this new one?
My recipe books are family cookbooks containing delicious, fuss-free, nutrient-rich recipes suitable from weaning to one pot family meals. My current cookbook – ‘Easy Indian SuperMeals for Babies, Toddlers and the Family’, is the UK's only Asian-themed weaning cookbook guiding parents on safely introducing aromatic flavours into their child’s diet. It includes my personal parenting experiences and is packed with extensively researched nutritional information. Also, whilst my recipes are all cooked with aromatic spices for delicious flavours, the influences range from Indian classics to British, Spanish and Italian.
Do you have any rudimentary advice for bringing up a healthy child, both emotionally and physically?
Stay strong and persevere! With regards to meals, there will be times when a child will reject them which can be draining, but it’s important to remember a child’s taste buds are continually changing. The same meal may be wolfed down next week.
What’s your personal motto?
Relax and enjoy the time you have with your baby as you won’t get that time back. They grow up so quickly!
Zainab’s Special
Veggie Korma (7 months plus)
“I love this recipe! It’s simple, nutritious and includes the subtle and naturally sweet taste of the exotic coconut. They are antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal (great for nappy rash protection) and boost energy and immune system function. Equally coconuts are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. With all of these health benefits and more, coconuts are definitely SuperFoods in my opinion”.
Total preparation and cooking time: 30mins
Suitable for freezing
Makes 4 servings
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tomato – washed, deseeded, grated
Pinch of ground turmeric
Pinch of ground cumin
¼ tsp minced garlic
1 medium white potato – washed, peeled, cubed
2 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut
200ml (7fl oz) of water
1 medium carrot – peeled, washed, chopped
40g (1½oz) peas – frozen, washed
Heat the oil in a pot and add the tomato, turmeric, cumin, garlic and stir-fry for 1-2mins. Add the potato, coconut and water. Stir and bring to the boil. Simmer (covered) on low heat for 15-20mins until tender. Then mash and set aside.
Whilst the potato is boiling, steam the carrot and peas in either a steamer or in the microwave by placing them in a microwavable dish and adding 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the dish with either a lid (leaving a small vent) or cling film (piercing a few holes), and steam on high for 1-1½mins. Drain and add to the mashed potato. Further mash or blend as necessary using a pulse motion. Serve to baby warm.
www.thebabyshow.co.uk /www.zainabjagotahmed.com.
Her book is available from amazon.co.uk here.