PostNatal Diet - Some Vegetable Dishes

    Traditionally, new mothers in confinement are rarely allowed to eat vegetables.  And if allowed, they can only eat  2 types  - Kai Lan & Sweet Peas. However, if you like, you can also try the vegetable recipes in the Pre-Natal Diet Section.  Interestingly, my confinement nanny also often cooked the Red Spinach for me "because it's high in iron".

    I personally love eating lots of vegetables.  It is nutritious and has lots of vitamins & fiber. Having a balanced diet is important for a new mother’s recovery.  It is also important for a breastfeeding mother to have such a nutritious diet.

    SWEET PEAS

    2 handfuls of snow peas, washed & deveined. (the kids love helping in this!)
    ½ carrot, cut into strips
    50g Meat, cut into thin strips (beef, chicken, lean pork, or even fish cake)
    2 slices old ginger
    1 Tbsp Oil ½ Tbsp Sesame Seed Oil

    Seasoning: 1 tsp light soy, ½ tsp sugar.
     

  • Marinate meat (except if you use fish cakes) with ½ tsp sugar & ½ tsp light soy.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp Oil & fry ginger slices until fragrant.
  • Fry carrot strips for 2 mins, then add snow peas & seasoning and fry for another minute. Remove vegetables and set aside.
  • Heat wok with ½ Tbsp of sesame seed oil. Put in the marinated meat, and stir-fry for 2mins. Add vegetables & stir-fry for another 1 minute. Serve.

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    If not for confinement, I would just use the microwave to cook sweet peas real fast!  I'd put them in a microwaveable dish with a tiny bit of water.  Cover with microwave wrap and cook on high for 3 to 5mins.  When ready, I just put a dab of margarine, and it's all ready to eat!  Delicious too!

    YOUNG CORN WITH SWEET PEAS

    1 handful young corn (fresh would be really be nice & tasty!)
    1 handful sweetpeas, washed & deveined
    4 cloves garlic, chopped 
    1 Tbsp Oil
    1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tsp cold water.

    Seasoning: 1 tsp light soy, 2 Tbsp Rice Wine, ½ Tbsp sesame seed oil, 1 tsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt, ½ Cup water.
     

  • For fresh young corn, blanch in boiling water for 3 mins. Slice each ear in half lengthwise.
  • Heat oil . Fry garlic until fragrant. 
  • Add sweetpeas and stir-fry for 2mins. Add young corn & stir-fry well.
  • Add the seasoning and bring to a boil. Then add cornflour paste and stir until sauce has thickened.
  • Serve.

    KAI LAN STIR-FRIED WITH FISH FILLET
    (Kai Lan is believed to help improve the joints & lymphs)

    200g Kai Lan
    ½ carrot, sliced
    100g white fish fillet,
    2 slices old ginger, shredded
    1 clove garlic, chopped
    1 Onion, chopped
    2 Tbsp Oil
    ½ tsp sesame seed oil 1 tsp Chinese Rice Wine

    Marinate: 1 tsp light soy, ½ tsp sugar, ½ tsp cornflour, 1 tsp oil

    Seasoning: 2 tsp light soy, 1 tsp sugar, 1 TBsp oyster sauce.
     

  • Cut fish into thin slices across the grain. Marinate for 5mins.
  • Slice off fibrous parts of the Kai Lan stems. Cut Kai Lan slantwise in thick slices.
  • Blanch Kai Lan & carrots in boiling water for 2 mins.
  • Heat Oil . Fry ginger, garlic, & onions until fragrant. Add the blanched kai lan & carrots to fry for 1 min. Add seasoning.

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    Include the marinated fish slices. Fry well for ~1 min. Then sprinkle 1 tsp Chinese Rice Wine & ½ tsp sesame seed oil just before serving.

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