Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Cranberry Bagel

Ingredients

• 600g strong white flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
• 200g dried cranberries
• 120 ml organic yeast or 1/2 teaspoon dried yeast
• see (http://rbearbear.blogspot.hk/2014/05/fertility-maternity-recipes_5.html) for organic yeast recipe
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup lukewarm water

  

Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, salt and cranberries in a large bowl. 
2. Add yeast and water.
3. Knead dough with hands till sticky.
4. Place dough onto a floured flat worktop. 
5. Knead dough firmly with hands for 15 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with warm water if dough becomes too stiff to knead.
7. Divide dough evenly into 6 round balls.
8. Shape the dough into the shapes you like. 
9. Leave enough space for dough to expand.
10. Cover dough with cling film or a damp cloth to prevent drying.
11. Let dough rest till twice the original size.
12. While waiting, boil a large pot of water.
13. Add a teaspoon of sugar and bring to simmer.
14. Preheat oven at 180C.
15. Drop dough in water 1-2 at a time when they are ready in size. 
16. Let them float for 15 seconds on each side. Flip only once.
17. Take dough out carefully and blot excess water.
18. Arrange bagels onto a greased baking sheet.
19. Bake in over for 15 minutes or till golden brown.

 

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Walnut and Prune Cookies

One of the natural remedy to relieve constipation during pregnancy is including high fiber foods such as prune in your diet. Try the following recipe for a nutritious and delicious snack that helps relieving constipation.

Ingredients

• 400g cup plain flour
• 120g uncooked pitted prunes (chopped)
• 120g uncooked walnuts (chopped)
• 100g butter (softened)
• 200g sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon of soda
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
• ¼ cup fresh milk

Instructions

1. Use a spatula to mix together butter, sugar and egg till creamy.
2. In another bowl, mix together sifted flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.
3. Use a spatula to mix 1 and 2 together.
4. Stir in milk.
5. Add prunes and walnuts. Mix well.
6. Chill mixture for an hour.
7. Preheat oven at 200C.
8. Shape dough into rounded spoonfuls and spread evenly on greased baking sheet.
9. Leave generous space for dough to raise slightly.
10. Bake for 10 minutes or till brown.

Fertility & Maternity Recipe

Apple and Banana Scones

Ingredients

• 2 banana (ripe and mashed)
• 60g unsalted butter (melted)
• 100g sugar
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 125ml fresh milk
• 240g self-raising flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 apple (cored and diced)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 180C.
2. Mix ground cinnamon with apple. Set aside.
3. Place mashed banana, melted butter, sugar, beaten eggs and milk in a large bowl. Mix with a spatula. Set aside.
4. Sift self-raising flour, baking soda and powder, together with salt in another bowl.
5. Gently add flour mixture into banana mixture while stirring with a spatula.
6. Make sure no lumps are left in the mixture.
7. Mix in diced apple.
8. Pour mixture into greased baking cups to 2/3 full.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or til brown.
10. Cool on rack for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Fertility & Maternity Recipe

Purple Sweet Potato Swirl Loaf

 Ingredients

• 120ml organic yeast or 1/2 teaspoon dried yeast
• 300g strong white flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 190ml fresh milk
• 20g unsalted butter (melted)
• 100g purple sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl, except butter. Mix well with a whisk.
2. Add melted butter and mix with your fingers, til dough texture becomes elastic.
3. Divide dough into two portions, one portion weight approximate 270g.
4. Add mashed sweet potatoes to the 270g portion of dough.
5. Mix well with your fingers. You may add a tablespoon of warm water to dough if it feels too dry.
6. Sit both dough in a flat surface covered with cling film. Let it grow til twice the size.
7. Once big enough, split each dough into two again and let it rest for another 15 minutes. Covered with cling film to avoid drying.
8. Flatten dough into four long oval sheets. 
   
9. Lay them on top of each other and roll all four sheets up.
10. Place dough roll into baking tin.
11. Let dough sit in baking tin until it fills up 2/3 of the tin.
12. Bake in preheated oven at 200C for about 40 minutes.
13. Leave on rack to cool down and serve.

 

 

 

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Organic Yeast

Homemade organic yeast is a much healthier choice. Conventional yeast uses chemicals such as lye, synthetic vitamins, ammonia, ammonium salts and anti-foaming agents. Using organic yeast is better for the environment as well as for you and your little one.

Ingredients

• 200g organic cherry tomatoes
• 50g organic brown sugar
• 300g cold boiled water

Instructions

Day 1

1. Cut tomatoes in halves.
2. Place all ingredients in an air tight jar. 
3. Shake well. 
4. Close lid tightly.

Day 2 to 4

1. Bubbles begin to rise up from day 2.
2. Shake well each day and open lid.
3. Close lid tightly after shaking.

Day 5-7

1. Depending on room temperature.
2. It should only take 3 days to this stage in warmer weather.
3. Sift out all tomatoes. 
4. Use the liquid as natural yeast.
5. It can be stored in the fridge in an air tight jar for up to a month.
6. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar if you wish to store longer to feed the yeast.

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Beetroot Bread Loaf

Ingredients

• 300g strong white flour (sifted)
• 10ml beetroot juice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 120ml fresh milk
• 80ml water
• 20g unsalted butter (melted)
• roasted walnuts (crushed, optional)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl, except butter. Mix well with a whisk.
2. Add melted butter and mix till dough texture with hands.
3. Leave dough in bowl, cover with cling film in room temperature.
4. Leave it to grow til twice the original size.
5. Remove dough from bowl and place it in baking tin.
6. Cover with cling film and leave dough to grow til it fills 3/4 of the baking tin.
7. Bake in preheated oven at 200C for about 40 minutes.
8. Leave on rack to cool down and serve.

Fertility & Pregnancy Recipes

Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

There's nothing worst than feeling constipated during pregnancy. To overcome this pregnancy hiccup, fill your diet with fiber and liquid. A yummy oatmeal bar to munch on would be healthy and enjoyable.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup dried cranberries or other dried fruits
• 75 g melted butter or margarine

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 160C. Place foil on baking tray and lightly greased.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well.
3. Pour mixture onto baking tray and apply pressure with a spatula.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or till golden brown.
5. Cool after baking and cut into bars.

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Base ingredients

• 100g digestive biscuits
• 30g unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 tablespoon golden syrup

Cake ingredients

• 400g cream cheese (room temperature)
• 60g sour cream
• 250g pumpkin (cooked and mashed)
• 250g pumpkin (diced)
• 100g sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 3 eggs (slightly beaten)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. To make the base, crush digestive biscuits. 
2. Mix in melted butter, golden syrup and flour.
3. Place mixture at the bottom of cheesecake pan, flatten with a spatula.
4. Preheat oven at 160C.
5. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar till smooth. Alternatively, blend in blender.
6. Return mixture to bowl. Add pumpkin mash, flour, eggs, spices and diced pumpkin. Mix together with a spatula.
7. Pour mixture in cheese cake pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven for an hour or till enter sets.
9. After baking, cool down and chill for few hours before serving.

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Strawberry Dainties

Ingredients

• 100g self-raising flour
• 100g icing sugar
• 75g butter
• 3 egg whites
• 100g fresh strawberries (sliced or chopped)
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 180C.
2. Sift self-raising flour and icing sugar into a large bowl.
3. Add melted butter, egg whites to bowl and whisk mixture into batter.
4. Divide batter into 12 greased baking cups.
5. Place sliced or chopped strawberries on top of each cup.
6. Bake in oven for 5 minutes at 180C. Then, lower temperature to 160C and bake for another 10-15 minutes or til golden brown.
7. Warm strawberry jam in warm water.
8. Brush jam on surface after baking and serve.

Fertility & Maternity Recipes

Carrot and Sunflower Seeds Cake

Ingredients

• 100g carrot                             (cooked and mashed)
• 4 eggs                                     (slightly beaten)
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour   (sift)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
• 2/5 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 180C.
2. Fold in half of self-raising flour with the mixture.
3. Fold in the other half of self-raising flour with carrot mash in a separate bowl.
4. Mix the two mixtures together and add sunflower seeds.
5. Pour mixture into cupcakes holder. No more than 1/3 full.
6. Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until cakes raised and turned brown.
7. Cool on rack and serve.

Carrot and Dried Strawberries Cake

 

Note: I didn't have any sunflower seeds in my storeroom so I used dried strawberries instead. It turned out to be delicious. You should try using other dried fruits too.