I’m not going to lie, I’ve been a little off my cooking game the last few months…and I’m blaming pregnancy! After a full day of training clients, teaching classes and shooting content, it’s pretty much impossible for me to pull together the strength to shop, prep and cook. At least that’s what it felt like in the first trimester. Now that I’m in what’s been coined the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy, AKA the second trimester, I have more energy and feel a little more like my old self (with a much larger tummy).
Since starting to feel better, I’ve began working out again, grocery shopping and even doing a little cooking. But I still don’t have my old energy and I’m technically cooking for 3 (myself, DC and #babykale) so I am really particular about what I make. Any recipe pretty much has to fit the following criteria – nutrient-dense, convenient and comforting.
I recently brought home the T-Fal Multicook & Grains and it basically joined my kitchen at the perfect time because anything I make in it will automatically fit my ‘cooking criteria trifecta.’ Since it’s cold out and I’m in nesting mode, comforting foods are all I’m craving and if they make lots of leftovers – even better! With the T-Fal Multicook & Grains I can make stews, chilis, soups and even risotto. I literally cannot think of anything cozier!
Nutrient-dense meals are also really important right now. I’m having a hard time eating the way I used to and mostly want carbs and cheese. So when I do eat something nutritious, it’s pivotal that me and my baby get the most of it. The T-Fal Multicook & Grains solves this problem because it has patented Nutri+ technology that actually preserves the vitamins and minerals in all ingredients you use. It also inspired me to use even better ingredients. For example, when I typically make a chili or stew, I normally used canned beans which can be filled with sodium, aluminums and preservatives. I mean, I know dry beans are better but I just don’t have the time to soak them and wait. But the T-Fal Multicook & Grains has a setting just for dry beans that reduces the soaking time from several hours to less than 30 minutes!
Lastly, if its not easy and convenient, I’m just not going to make it. So anything I can make in one-pot works for me! The T-Fal Multicook & Grains takes this convenience up a notch with it’s built in Artificial Intelligence. Once you choose your program setting (e.g. beans or soup) it automatically provides you with step-by-step instructions on the screen with things like how much liquid to use or how many servings it will make – genius!
As soon as I opened this kitchen appliance miracle, I knew I had to make my Winter Minestrone Soup and this time it would be way faster! This recipe is filled with so many essential nutrients for pregnant women. So many expecting mothers suffer from iron deficiencies and in the winter it is super important to up our vitamin C. So I used beans which are high in iron and carrots and spinach which are filled with vitamin C. And I know the vitamins will all be preserved using the T-Fal Multicook & Grains.
So here you have it, my delicious, NUTRIENT-DENSE, COMFORTING and CONVENIENT Winter Minestrone Soup:
Ingredients:
2 cups dry cannellini beans
1 large leek
1 large carrot
1 white onion
2 cups spinach
3 cups crushed tomatoes
3 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions:
Add cannellini beans in T-Fal Multicook & Grains, place on setting 6 and add liquid according to directions. While beans are soaking, roughly chop the leek, carrot and onion. Once beans are done, drain and place back into the Multicook. Add in chopped vegetables, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth and seasoning. Set Multicook to setting 15 for soup. Once finished, serve and enjoy!
*This post is sponsored by T-Fal Multicook & Grains. All opinions are my own.