Recipe: Try this delicious warming winter casserole for a fertility boost

If you are looking for a tasty winter dish to cook for dinner this week, we have a special guest recipe post from Sue Bedford Nutritional Therapist (MSc Nut Th)

Over to Sue…

Why not try this warming winter casserole? Not only is it a delicious, filling winter meal, it is also packed full of healthy veg and ingredients that could help boost your fertility when you are trying for a baby.

This recipe contains ingredients which could help assist with fertility when you’re trying to conceive (TTC) - including chicken, which is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, calcium and also L-carnitine, which plays an important role in relation to sperm motility, apricots, which contain iron, which plays an important role in preventing iron-deficient anaemia, as well as sweet potatoes, which are a slow release carbohydrate so can help with balancing blood sugar and therefore hormones, which is important when it comes to fertility.

This recipe is also fantastic in the slow cooker if you have a busy day ahead. Simply chop the ingredients the night before and place all into the slow cooker first thing in the morning. It also easy to make more and freeze the leftovers.

All in one warming winter chicken casserole with apricots and mashed sweet potato

(Makes 4 portions)

6 skinless and boneless chicken thighs

4 medium sweet potatoes

1 large onion

2 large leeks

2 celery sticks

4 fresh apricots (halved with stone removed or 8 dried apricots)

1 heaped tablespoon of plain flour

1 handful of fresh thyme and oregano or 2 tsp of dried mixed herbs

¾ pint of chicken stock

50g Kale

To make:

Place the chicken thighs into a casserole pot and sprinkle over the flour and herbs and give it a good stir.

Next, chop the onions, washed leeks and celery and place into the casserole pot along with the apricots.

Pour the chicken stock over and stir well together. Place into a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for 1.5 hours (take out half way through and give it a stir and add the kale).

Meanwhile, peel and chop the sweet potatoes and boil in a pan until soft. When the casserole is ready, mash the potatoes, with a splash of milk and a spoonful of butter until smooth. Season as required.

Spoon out the potato onto a warmed plate and place the casserole on top or by the side.

Enjoy