Hana Asbrink, a key figure in Bon Appétit's test kitchen and creator of The Fourth Trimester column, joins to help expectant mom Mara prepare her freezer for newborn life. They discuss the practicalities of meal prepping for postpartum recovery, highlighting comforting and nourishing dishes like spinach lasagna and white chicken chili. Hana shares tips on freezing soups effectively and emphasizes the importance of easy meals during life transitions. Their conversation is a delightful mix of support and practical advice for new parents.
Mara's approach to meal prepping emphasizes the importance of nutrition and variety in the meals she prepares for postpartum recovery.
The episode highlights effective strategies like creating a 'soup library' to simplify access to nourishing food during the hectic early days of motherhood.
Deep dives
Introducing Cook with Bon Appetit
A new subscription box called Cook with Bon Appetit aims to simplify home cooking by delivering five exclusive recipes along with five high-quality shelf-stable ingredients directly to subscribers' doors. With the promise of fun and delicious cooking experiences, the box also includes free shipping and a 50% discount for new customers. Subscribers gain online access to Bon Appetit's digital content and cooking tips, enabling them to elevate their culinary skills. This initiative serves as a convenient solution for those seeking to enhance their home-cooking repertoire.
Preparing for Postpartum Cooking
Mara, a pregnant professor, expresses her desire to prepare meals in advance for the chaotic early days of motherhood. She acknowledges the overwhelming advice found online regarding meal prepping and seeks guidance to make cooking manageable amidst the anticipated challenges of caring for a newborn. The focus is not just on convenience, but also on creating a variety of meals that incorporate vegetables and are exciting to eat. The episode emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning to ensure that new parents have easy access to nutritious and flavorful food.
Freezer-Friendly Meal Strategies
To assist Mara in her meal preparation, two main strategies are proposed: classic freezer meals and comforting soups. Recipes such as baked mushroom rice porridge and white chicken chili are recommended, both of which are easy to prepare, freeze, and reheat. In particular, the white chicken chili is highlighted for its simplicity and the way it maintains flavor even after freezing. These meal ideas aim to provide Mara with comforting and nourishing options that require little effort during her postpartum transition.
Meal Prep Success and Ongoing Support
Mara successfully executes a test run of her planned meals, making both the white chicken chili and baked mushroom rice porridge with favorable results. The chili not only met but exceeded expectations, with both Mara and her partner enjoying it freshly made and after freezing. The storage strategies discussed in the episode proved effective, allowing Mara to create a well-organized 'soup library' in her freezer. The conversation concludes with a focus on ongoing support for future meal planning as Mara prepares for her new role as a mother.
Mara is expecting her first child, and she wants to plan ahead, stocking her freezer with nourishing, delicious meals that she and her partner can enjoy in the first few weeks of life with their little one. So Chris taps Hana Asbrink, one of the brains behind Bon Appetit's column The Fourth Trimester, to help Mara fill the freezer before the baby arrives.