As you recover from giving birth, your body is at its weakest state and needs lots of nutrients to recover. Cravings aside, following a confinement food recipe, can help your body get the right nourishment that it needs!
6 Delicious Confinement Recipes
Confinement Food Recipe #1: Pig's Trotter with Vinegar
Ingredients:
- 1 pig’s trotter (2kg)
- 1500ml sweetened black vinegar
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp rock sugar
- Salt (as desired)
- 1 cup black beans
- 600gm old ginger
- 750ml water
Method:
1. Rinse the pig’s trotter and cut it into convenient pieces. Peel and cut the old ginger into pieces, flatten lightly and set aside. Blanch with hot water to remove the "raw meat" taste and smell.
2. Heat the sesame oil in a pre-heated wok and saute the old ginger pieces and black beans till fragrant. Remove and transfer a large clay pot.
3. Pour in the vinegar and water, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat and cook for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Let the mixture soak overnight.
4. Blanch the pig's trotter pieces in hot water. Remove and drain. Stir-fry in a pre-heated wok for a while.
Add rock sugar to it and continue to stir until sugar is fully dissolved and aromatic.
5. Lastly, bring the soup back to a boil. Add the pre-fried pig's trotter pieces into the clay pot, cover and simmer over medium heat for 35 minutes or so.
6. Remove from heat, leaving the pig's trotter pieces in the vinegar soup.
Let it soak until all the pig's trotter pieces are tender and the flavour has been absorbed and aromatic.
Confinement Food Recipe #2: Fried Rice with Egg and Ginger
Ingredients:
- 200g cooked rice
- 80g old shredded ginger
- 2 eggs beaten lightly
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of salt and some soy sauce will make the dish more delicious
Method:
1. Heat up sesame oil and fry the shredded ginger over a low fire until fragrant. You can tell when it turns a light golden colour.
2. Add in the beaten egg slowly and stir-fry till cooked.
3. Add the bowl of rice and a little salt to the ginger and egg. Stir-fry over high heat till fragrant. Just before serving, add the soy sauce and stir till all ingredients are well combined.
4. This Chinese Fried Rice with Egg and Ginger is best served immediately.
Confinement Food Recipe #3: Young Corn and Sweet Peas Stir Fry
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup young corn
- 1/2 cup sweet peas
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp corn flour mixed with 2 tsp cold water
To season:
- 1 tsp light soy
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tbsp sesame seed oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup water
Method:
1. Blanch corn in boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. Slice each corn in half (lengthwise).
3. Heat oil and fry garlic until fragrant.
4. Add sweet peas and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add corn and stir fry.
5. Add seasoning and bring to a boil.
6. Add the cornflour paste and stir until the mixture has thickened.
7. Serve.
Confinement Food Recipe #4: Vegan Ginger and Vinegar Trotter
Ingredients:
- 300g gluten fungus roll
- 500g old ginger
- 300ml black rice vinegar
- 600ml water
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 70g brown sugar
- Salt to taste
Method:
1. Slice gluten fungus roll.
2. Peel and cut old ginger into chunks.
3. Add sesame oil to the ginger and bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
4. Once ginger is baked, place all the ingredients in a clay pot, add water and simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Season to taste with salt.
6. Serve hot.
Confinement Food Recipe #5: Chicken Essence
Ingredients:
- 500g chicken
- 1 cup/250ml DOM or Brandy
Method:
1. Wash the chicken thoroughly. Remember to remove the skin and scald in hot water. Rinse, pat dry and set aside. Place chicken and cognac into a double boiler. Cover with a lid and double boil for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
2. Remove the chicken and pour the Chicken Essence into a cup or bowl. It's best served warm.
Confinement Food Recipe #6: Dang Shen Tea
Ingredients:
- 150g dang shen
- 100g red dates
- 50g dried longan
- 2000ml water
Method:
1. Cut the dang shen into slices or sectionals. Flatten the red dates and core them. Set aside.
2. Bring water to a boil. Add in dang shen, red dates and dried longan. Cover and boil for approximately 3 hours over low heat.
3. Remove from heat. Strain well and serve hot.
Also read: Foodie Market Place: One-Stop Gourmet Haven for Affordable Delights