There are different types of ground beef, and they generally have different fat contents. Ground chuck tends to be the fattiest (15%–25% fat), and ground sirloin or ground round are lower in fat. The higher-fat meats will be more tender, so they may be a better choice for baby.

• Brown the ground beef in a frying pan for 10–15 minutes, or until completely cooked. Drain on paper towels.

• Wash and trim the beans. Place in a steamer basket inside a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil; then simmer for 15 minutes, or until beans are completely tender. Or, use frozen green beans and shorten the cooking time to 8–10 minutes.

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly until dissolved. Add milk, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a white sauce.

• Combine the beans and beef in the frying pan. Pour in the white sauce and simmer over low heat until it is completely mixed in.

• Allow to cool, then fork-mash or purée before serving. The ground beef will give this meal some texture, so it's great for older babies.

Buying Ground Beef

Ground beef turns red when exposed to oxygen (in the packaging plant, usually). Red beef is fresh and safe to eat. If you notice the beef appears to be turning brown or gray, stay away — it's probably starting to spoil. Since grinding beef exposes more of the meat's surface to air, it spoils faster than unground cuts.