Preggos everywhere will agree: eating great food while pregnant can be a challenge. Not that there aren’t plentiful options – it’s just that some of our favourite meals always tend to include a taboo food or two. Which pregnant lady hasn’t experienced the following scenario when eating out:
Goat cheese pizza? Er – is the goat cheese pasteurized? Um, you know, heat processed? Can you please check?
Is the Ceasar salad dressing made in-house? Does it contain raw eggs? Cause, you know…
Uh… it says here the western omelette contains ham. Has that been fully cooked until steaming? Like, zapped with heat until all the listeria is killed? Never mind…
Sometimes it’s just easier to eat at home. And that’s why I love The Gourmet Pregnancy. The cookbook was created to celebrate food during pregnancy, and provides simple, easy to follow and delicious recipes that any expectant mother can make with pleasure.
Though author Leah Douglas was thrilled to find out she was expecting, she soon found herself longing for the days of cooking and eating whatever struck her fancy. Now that cocktails, sushi, and nights on the town were out of the question, she decided to search for new ways of experiencing food, friends, and fun. With a few tweaks, she discovered guilt-free – and doctor approved – gourmet meals that made her feel sexy and confident in her changing body.
Mom Central generously sent me a copy of the cookbook, in addition to a $50 PC Gift Card to grab my groceries and create a meal. And after flipping through the book just once, I was hooked. Apart from the wealth of recipes guaranteed to make anyone drool, I loved how the book was laid out. The cookbook began with the section “not invited to the party,” which included a list of foods that should be avoided in pregnancy (and thus were omitted from all the recipes inside).
Following the taboo foods was my very part of the cookbook – the “what are you craving?” index. Here you will find all the recipes in the book categorized by cravings – chocolate, salty snacks, red meat, tangy or tart foods, fruits, etc. It’s ingenious! You simply have to decide what floats your boat at the moment, et voila! An entire listing of recipes at your fingertips, all designed to satisfy and nourish. Love, love, LOVE this feature.
If you’re not craving anything but good food, the cookbook is laid out by breakfast and brunch, snacks and sidekicks, appetizers, lighter fare, entrées, desserts and drinks.
Shall I tempt you? How about such recipes as Sourdough French Toast with Blueberry Creme; Sweet Potato Fries with Truffle Aioli; Sun-Dried Olive and Tomato Tuna Zucchini Rounds; Lemongrass Tiger Prawn and Chickpea Salad; Apple and Anjou Pear Beef with Smashed Yams; White Peach Crumble Pie with Caramel Drizzle; Fresh Mango Strawberry Lemonade… okay, that’s enough teasing for now!
For dinner this evening, hubby and I were feeling like something on the lighter side, so we settled on a Grilled Pear and Thai Basil Sandwich with a side green salad. Incorporating Thai basil, Bosc pears, premium aged cheddar and sourdough bread, we were anxious to sample the medley of flavours.
The prep time was less than 10 minutes and before we knew it, we were sinking our teeth into one of the best dinner sandwiches we’ve had in a long time. The saltiness of the aged cheddar paired perfectly with the sweet pear, and a fresh burst of Thai basil came shining through with every bite. Mike theorized that this meal would make the cut on any bistro menu, and even I had to agree that this wasn’t “pregnancy gourmet” – it was everyday gourmet.
Although I’ve got just about a week to go before baby is due, I can easily see myself drawing inspiration from this cookbook at any time. Don’t be fooled by the title – the recipes inside will satisfy every palette!
The Gourmet Pregnancy is available online at Chapters.ca or Amazon.ca.
Or… you can win a copy for yourself here!
Mom Central, in association with John Wiley & Sons Publishing, is generously offering one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win The Gourmet Pregnancy! You should definitely enter this contest if…
a) You’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
b) You have friends who are/will be pregnant (makes an awesome Congratulations! gift)
c) You’re not (and will never be) pregnant – but love gourmet food that is quick and easy to make
So essentially… EVERYONE!
To enter, simply leave a comment telling us your favourite gourmet meal to prepare at home (mine is Fillet Mignon with Balsamic Truffle-Butter Sauce). I’ll draw for a winner on May 31st. Good luck everybody!