First-time parents are told to “find their tribe”, a mythical support system that is supposed to appear along with those two blue lines on a much-anticipated pregnancy test. However, it rarely works out that way. TV chef Maria Harte and mum of two discovered the modern-day tribe is a little more virtual. Group WhatsApp, Zoom, and Instagram provided a circle of knowledge exchange and virtual support which helped her through becoming a first-time mum and later dealing with post-natal on her second child.
To give back to this modern-day tribe, she has created a free e-book “Bebe in Arms, Fork in Hand” featuring 20 freezer-friendly recipes, that have been carefully curated to help parents feel supported and prepared as they get ready for parenthood. Why? Because food is more than just fuel. It is comfort for the tired and weary, it is the nourishment a body needs to recover, and preparing good food for yourself is an act of self-love.
Bebe in Arms, Fork in Hand contains 20 freezer-friendly recipes that are easy to eat while balancing a baby on your knee. Something most parents remember all too well. Maria’s food delivers no-fuss recipes for people who love it eat. The recipes offer something different from the usual batch cook ragu with Korean Pulled Pork and Garlicky Chicken Fricassee on the menu along with a few sweet treats such as Cookies and Snickers Bites.
Speaking about her new book:
“I know how much new parents want someone to count on, so they can count on me to help them get a little more organised with something nourishing in their freezer. Perfect for those times when they need a comforting bowl of goodness. I wish I knew when I was afraid of becoming a mum, going through post-natal, being a lockdown mum, and doubting myself that becoming a mum would be the making of me. The catalyst for following my dreams of sharing food with people. My way of making the world a little kinder. Because that is the holy all of it really, the most important thing to be is kind and the most important thing to me is showing my kids what that really means. So please join me in this mini project of kindness and share the book or maybe even cook something from it for a friend in need. Because the act of cooking food is kindness at its best.”
Pork and Fennel Ragu Recipe
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
- 450g pork mince
- 1 white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 8-10 sage leaves, chopped (or a tsp of dried sage)
- 1 sprig of rosemary, leaves removed and chopped (or a tsp of dried)
- 2 tsp of fennel seeds, crushed
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 tsp of cracked black pepper
- 1 tin of cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp of tomato purée
- 1/2 tin of water
- 1/2 tin of milk
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Method:
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a large pot and place over medium to high heat. Add the pork mince and brown it well.
- Turn down the heat and add in the garlic and onions. Mix them in with the mince and let it cook for 3 minutes. At this point, you can decant everything into a slow cooker if you wish! A
- Add the herbs, tomato purée, cracked black pepper, and fennel seeds. Follow this with your tin of cherry tomatoes, water, and milk. Pop the lid on, leaving it slightly ajar, and cook for 2 hours or longer if you have it. In the slow cooker, you can leave it on low for 4-6 hours but turn it up to high for 20-30 minutes and cook with the lid off to reduce the sauce.
- Allow the sauce to cool and freeze in portions.
About Maria Harte
Maria Harte is a TV cook on Virgin Media’s six o’clock show, food stylist, and food writer. She is a self-taught cook that could fillet a fish by age 10 and prides herself in creating no-fuss recipes for people who love to eat on her Instagram page @_mariaharte_, at cookery demos including Wellfest and through her weekly newsletter “Joyful Eats For Your Week”.
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