Whole Wheat Pasta with Mild Carrot and Cashew Sauce

Introduction

During the third trimester of pregnancy, your body needs plenty of energy, while space in your belly often feels quite limited. This pasta dish with a mild, creamy sauce is easy to digest and provides valuable nutrients. It is also quick to prepare when standing in the kitchen for long periods becomes tiring.

Ingredients

For 2 to 3 portions you will need:

• 250 g whole wheat pasta (like penne or fusilli)
• 400 g carrots
• 70 g unsalted cashews
• 1 small onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 250 ml vegetable broth
• A splash of pasteurized cream or a plant-based alternative
• A pinch of salt, some nutmeg, and mild herbs to taste

Preparation

1. Pour hot water over the cashews and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
2. Peel and chop the carrots and onion into rough pieces.
3. Gently sauté the vegetables in a pot with the olive oil.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes until soft.
5. Meanwhile, cook the whole wheat pasta in lightly salted water according to the package instructions.
6. Drain the soaking water from the cashews and add the nuts to the soft vegetables along with the cream.
7. Blend the sauce until smooth and season it gently with a pinch of salt and nutmeg.
8. Toss the pasta with the warm sauce and serve immediately.

Good to know

This dish is wonderful for batch cooking. The sauce keeps well in the fridge for two to three days in a covered container and tastes delicious when reheated. If you prefer a bit more texture, you can remove a few pieces of carrot before blending and stir them into the pasta at the end.

When it is hard

In the final trimester, the growing belly often presses on your stomach, which easily leads to heartburn. It often helps to eat several small portions spread throughout the day to ease digestion. If you are currently very sensitive to smells, you can simply leave out the onion and make the sauce purely from carrots and cashews.

Note

For any questions or concerns regarding your diet during pregnancy, it is best to consult your obstetrician, gynecologist, or midwife.