Neven Maguire’s Cookbook: Egg and Soldiers with a twist

We have delicious recipes from Neven Maguire's Complete Baby & Toddler Cookbook, the latest offering from our favourite TV chef. The book offers over 200 recipes and daily menu planners to take you from first tastes through each stage of weaning. Maguire also weighs in on the organic debate and offers great tips and advice for parents on everything from essential equipment to setting goals for your littlies. Neven says: "Most toddlers love dipping soldiers into their soft-boiled eggs, and these are just a fancier version that I saw being served in Italy while on holiday." Neven's Tip: Before cooking the egg, prick the wide end with a pin – this will release the air trapped in a little pocket here and stop the egg from cracking while it cooks. Soft-boiled Egg with Parma Ham Soldiers Serves 1. Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 slice of Parma ham
• 3 breadsticks

Directions: 1. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Gently lower in the egg and cook for 4½ minutes, turning it over once or twice during cooking. 2. Meanwhile, cut the Parma ham into strips and wrap it around the breadsticks. 3. Put the soft-boiled egg into an eggcup and then carefully crack off the top. 4. Arrange on a plate with the Parma ham soldiers alongside. Neven Maguire’s Complete Baby & Toddler Cookbook is available in stores nationwide and online from the Gill & Macmillan bookshop, priced at €18.99.