A new mama needs nourishing and warming meals and snacks. She needs nutrient dense and delicious food that is comforting and will help with recovery. These village for mama hearty sausage rolls are just that. One handed comfort food full of iron rich grass fed beef, veggies and an option to supercharge with some hidden liver.
In fact these hearty sausage rolls are perfect for the whole family. Dads and kids love them too and they make a great lunch box addition. Delivering food to a new mama is one of the best things you can do for her and although the food should help support her nutritionally, it is definitely an added bonus if the delivery can be enjoyed by her other family members. This can really help with the mum guilt which often comes with a growing family.
Ingredient selection can really make the world of difference when preparing a meal. Be sure to invest in some delicious grass fed and organic beef mince. The fat will be very nourishing and it will contain more omega 3 essential fatty acids (anti-inflammatory) and less omega 6 (potentially inflammatory). If possible, use organic produce too. Shopping at your local farmers market can often make seasonal, spray free or organic produce far more accessible and affordable.
Look for butter puff pastry as it contains fewer ingredients and is much better for you. Normal or light puff pastry, although cheaper, is full of vegetable oils, emulsifiers and colours. The healthiest pastry option is home made. Give it a try using some organic spelt flour and grass fed butter.
Mushrooms contain small amounts of vitamin D but did you know you can boost the vitamin D content of mushrooms by popping them in the sun for 5 minutes before cooking? Vitamin D foods are great for mums who might not be able to get outdoors in the first few weeks post birth. Perhaps they are recovering from a cesarean section.
Carrots and zucchini are very nutritious and also a great source of fibre. Carrots are high in beta carotene (Vitamin A), great for enhancing immune function in both mum and bub as it will come through breast milk. All leafy greens are also high in iron, however they need to be cooked in order to break down fibres that bind the iron and make it more absorbable.
Iron from the parsley, spinach and beef will facilitate increasing iron stores after blood loss. You can boost the iron along with loads of other benefits by supercharging with liver and you won’t taste it!
Liver is so nutritious! It is actually one of the most perfect foods for postpartum. Liver is a great source of very bioavailable nutrients, meaning the nutrients contained in liver are easily absorbed and utilised by the body. It is especially high in vitamin A, needed for mucous membrane health and repair, perfect for healing tissue damage from childbirth. Liver is also a great source of healthy omega 3 fats, great for brain health, breast milk production and passed on to the baby for brain development. It’s a great source of iron, folate and B12, nutrients essential for rebuilding and replacing blood cells after childbirth. A great source of protein. Remember to always buy organic, grass fed livers as non organic can be highly toxic.
Now for that delicious recipe. Hearty Sausage Rolls. Enjoy mama!
SUPERCHARGE
Optional addition of liver, a nutrient power house for added Vitamin A, Omega 3, B12, Iron, folate, Protein and B Vitamins. You can grate frozen organic chicken or beef liver straight into the mixture before moulding onto pastry. Alternatively you can add some spoonfuls of freeze dried liver to the mix.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees fan forced. Line a baking tray.
Thoroughly combine onion, mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, tomato paste, spinach, parsley, mince, paprika and salt in a large bowl using hands.
Cut each pastry sheet in half and carefully pipe or mould the beef mixture onto the long edge of the puff pastry sheet.
Roll each sheet to form a log then set aside.
Once all sheets are rolled. Using a sharp knife, cut the logs to your desired shape and place on prepared oven tray.
Brush each roll with egg mixture then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and meat is cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack immediately.
DELIVER FRESHLY COOKED OR FROZEN. CAN BE STORED IN THE FRIDGE FOR UP TO 6 DAYS OR CAN BE FROZEN (COOKED OR RAW) FOR UP TO 2 MONTHS. ENJOY WARMED IN THE OVEN OR AS IS.
love village for mama x
