Confinement Food Recipes

Try these revitalising recipes from Thomson Medical’s own confinement cookbook. These two recipes* are full of protein – perfect for recovering mums.

HONG ZAO FISH

Fish is a great source of protein, which aids in tissue development and repair

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 red snapper fillet
  • 20g ginger (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp hong zao (red glutinous wine leaves)
  • 1 tbsp glutinous rice wine
  • 100ml water
  • ½ tbsp light soya sauce
  • ½ tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 stalk coriander leaf
  • 3 stalks lettuce leaves
  • Dash of salt and pepper

PREPARATION

  1. Marinate fish with salt and pepper.
  2. Pan fry fish lightly, and set aside.
  3. Heat up sesame oil in pan, add in ginger and garlic, and sauté till fragrant.
  4. Add in hong zao and stir fry over a low fire. Add in brown sugar, light soya sauce, water and glutinous rice wine.
  5. Add the fried fish and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  6. Put fish on top of lettuce leaves and garnish with coriander. Serve hot.

BAKED HERBAL CHICKEN

Dang shen and dang gui help to nourish the blood and boost vitality

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 chicken thigh (200–250g)
  • 5 red dates
  • 4 sticks of dang shen
  • 5g yu zhu (polygonatum root)
  • 1 stalk coriander leaf

Marinade:

  • 1 tbsp hua diao wine
  • 1 tbsp light soya sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp dang gui (Chinese angelica root) powder
  • ½ tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tbsp grated ginger

PREPARATION

  1. Soak the dang shen and yu zhu in hot water for 15–20 minutes.
  2. Prepare the marinade.
  3. Combine marinade ingredients and marinate chicken with the sauce for 2–3 hours. Turn the chicken halfway through the marinating process to ensure the sauce is absorbed evenly.
  4. On a piece of aluminium foil, place a small amount of sauce over the chicken and lay the rest of the ingredients over the chicken and wrap.
  5. Bake at high heat (180°C–200°C) for 35–45 minutes. The duration of cooking depends on the size of the chicken thigh.
  6. Alternatively, this dish can be steamed.
  7. Garnish with coriander leaf before serving.

*Both dishes are recommended for consumption 2 weeks after delivery

For a whole host of healthy and delicious confinement food recipes, check out Nourishment From Within, which can be purchased at the ParentCraft Retail Shop or online at thomsonbaby.com.