POSTNATAL FOOD SERIES

These traditional Chinese recipes are popular as theyIngredients : 1 young kampong chicken(bones only), 1 pc
are believed to help nursing mothers improve their milkginger, 1 onion, grind together: 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1
flow as well as volume.tsp cumin, 1 tsp fennel seeds,
Pig's Trotters and Groundnut Soup or Porridge1.2 tsp black pepper seeds and 1/4 tsp turmeric
Ingredients : One pair of pig's trotters,powder
200 g fresh groundnuts, one spoonful of Chinese1. Place ground ingredients in muslin cloth, tie up into a
vinegar.ball and boil together with chicken bones for 1 hour.
1. Clean and split the trotters.2. Boil with 1 clove, 1 stick cinnamon, 1 tomatoes and 1/2
2. Boil and simmer with groundnuts in water.tsp salt to taste.
3. Add a pinch of salt and vinegar.Chicken Curry for Milk Production
4. Cook until it becomes soft.Ingredients : 1 young kampong chicken — meat
5. Rice can be added to make porridge.only (reserve bones for soup), 1 tbsp fennel seeds, 1/2
Fish and Papaya Souptsp cumin, 1tsp black pepper seeds, 1/2 tsp tumeric
Ingredients : 200 g green [unripe) papaya, fish bones orpowder, 3 cloves garlic, 1 pc ginger, 1 tomato (diced), 1
a whole fish [e.g. carp, snake head, sea bream,onion (cut finely), 1 clove, 1 stick cinnamon, 1 cupwater,
pomfret and kurau or thread fin), slices of ginger. In3 tbsp gingerly oil (used to preventconstipation)
order not to waste the fish meat, use the bones, head1. Fry ground ingredients in oil.
or tail.2. Add onion, clove and cinnamon, add chicken and fry
1. Scale and clean the fish.gently to seal juices.
2. Simmer together with pieces of papaya and ginger3. Add 1 cup of water and cook till boiling, then simmer
for 1-2 hours or until it becomes soft.for 45 minutes
3. Remove the bones from the fish before serving it.4. Add tomato half way through cooking
You are supposed to take it consecutively for three5. Add salt to taste.
days.CHINESE HERBS
Black Sesame Seed or Rice Pudding or PorridgeThe ancient Chinese believe that pregnant women are
Ingredients : 200 g black sesame seeds, 30 g rice, rockweakened by their condition.
sugarAs such, in the past, herbs are often to strengthen the
For pudding:health of the mother as well as that of their foetuses.
1. Blend soaked rice and sesame seeds into paste.The following Chinese herbs can be taken on its own
2. Combine with water and cook it into a thin gruel.or in combination. However, it is just an option and
For porridge:always consume them in small amounts or in
1. Cook the rice porridge.moderation. Anything excessive is harmful to you and
2. Blend sesame seeds and add to the rice.your baby.
3. Add rock sugar to taste.Ham San
Kidney Fried with Lily FlowerThis herb is believed to help cleanse your kidneys, liver
Ingredients : 200 g pig's kidney (clean and sliced), 20 gand other organs.
dried lily flower ("golden needles"), a few slicesGou Qi Zi
ofginger, vegetable oil, dash of rice wineThis is especially good for the eyesight and helps to
1. Stir-fry kidney slices in oil with the ginger.maintain the liver and kidneys in working order.
2. Add lily flower and seasoning to enhance taste.Dried Red Dates/Black Dates
Haui san and Groundnut PorridgeThey are believed to improve energy, are rich in iron
Ingredients : 20 g fresh groundnuts, 30 g unmilled rice, 5and can be used to calm the mind. They are often
g huai san (optional)added to other herbsto reduce the medicinal smell and
1. Cook ingredients together as in rice porridge.taste.
2. Meat bones can be added for extra flavour.Dried Longan
Lettuce with Rice WineThis is supposed to help improve blood circulation,
Ingredients : 200 g lettuce leaves, 30-50 cc Chineseimprove heart efficiency and reduce stress and
rice wine, meat stocktension.
1. Cook lettuce briefly in a little soup.Bird's Nest
2. Add salt and rice wine. Ensure that the wine isBird's nest is believed to ease coughing and improve
cooked until all the alcohol has evaporated.your complexion. However,due to the impurities found
3. Eat both soup and lettuce.in it, it is notadvisable for young children as it may bring
Longan and Red Date Teaon asthmatic attacks.
Ingredients : 10 pieces of dried longan flesh, 20-40 driedTHE GINSENG FAMILY
red dates (with the seeds removed), an optionalHerbs from the ginseng family are usually taken one to
ingredient of 4-5 g of tan kwei(angelica sihensis)two weeks after delivery.
1. Boil and simmer ingredients in 6-8 cups of water forBoo San
45 minutes to one hour until the liquid is fragrant andThis herb is supposed to remove "heatiness" from
tasty.your body. It also re hydrates and eases thirst. Your qi
2. Drink throughout the day.is restored and yin sustained from taking this herb.
INDIAN AND MALAY DIET TO ENHANCE BREASTSome users have even claimed that it improves one's
MILK PRODUCTIONintelligence quotient.
Fish CurryDang Sen
Ingredients : 500 g baby shark meat or flower crabs,This herb helps to maintain a healthy level of iron in the
2-3 tomatoes, 1 tsp fennel seed (ground), curry powderbody.
(add to taste), salt, pepper, 1-2 bowls of asam water, 2Tong Cong Chao
large onionsThe function of the kidneys is improved after taking
(chopped)this herb. It also helps to improve and strengthen the
1. Add oil into a pot or wok.yang, reducebreathlessness, cleanse the lungs and
2. Add onions and curry powder.stop internal bleeding.
3. Stir and add fish or flower crab into the pot.Dang Gui
4. Add fennel seed and asam water.This is one of the more popular herbs and it
5. Add tomatoes and saltsupposedly contains calcium and helps to improve your
6. Seasons to tasteblood circulation. It canalso help to stimulate new cells
7. Served with boiled riceand is often used to ease menstrual cramps. It is used
Chicken Soup for Strength (to reduce wind andto aid digestion and bowel function,too.
enhance energy)