Make Mariella Frostrup and Belles Berry’s nourishing, simple chicken stew recipe for dinner
Menopause campaigner Mariella Frostrup and chef Belles Berry’s new cookbook is full of recipes to boost midlife women’s health. Like this chicken stew recipe – that’s tonight sorted, then
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission. Image: Dan Jones
What do you get when you combine the skills of 62-year-old broadcaster, journalist and menopause awareness activist Mariella Frostrup with 51-year-old Belles Berry, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef and daughter of Dame Mary Berry? A delicious, nutrient-packed, menopause-focused cookbook, that’s what.
The pair first met at the Houses of Parliament while campaigning for menopause awareness, instantly clicked and knew they had to do something together. The result is Menolicious: Eat Your Way to a Better Menopause, £22.
“Menolicious is the cookbook we wish we’d had!” explains Frostrup. “A long-overdue culinary companion for anyone navigating the challenges and changes of midlife, with easy and accessible recipes aimed at helping you feel your best through menopause and beyond.”
It combines Belles’ culinary expertise with Frostrup’s experience of how she evolved her own diet during menopause, while the recipes have been developed with dietitian Hala El-Shafie, who specialises in nutrition and women’s health. Each dish is created to help balance hormones, boost energy levels, curb sugar cravings, improve weight management, and promote better focus and mood.
There are protein-packed and anti-inflammatory breakfasts, anti-bloat lunches, one-pot dinners, replenishing smoothies and juices, breads, snacks, and sweet treats. And every recipe has been designed to take 30 minutes or less to prepare – music to the ears of many a frazzled woman.
Alongside all the recipes are snippets of information explaining the positive effects of specific ingredients for common symptoms of menopause. For example, the black beans in this delicious stew have been shown to support metabolic function, improve cardiovascular health, reduce fatigue, support muscle growth, strengthen bones and boost memory.
Inspired to get cooking? Let’s start with this quick, easy one-pot chicken and coconut stew that makes the perfect mid-week dinner for the whole family.
Mariella Frostrup and Belles Berry’s Coconut Chicken and Black Bean Stew
Protein 36g, fibre 7.1g, carbs 14g per portion
Serves 4
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into finger-size strips
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce or tamari soy sauce
- 2 tbsp miso paste
- 400g can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 mashed avocado
- 400ml can of coconut milk
- Handful of baby spinach
- Juice of 1 lime
- Flaky sea salt and freshly ground
- Black pepper
- Handful of herbs, to garnish
- Flatbreads, rice, or noodles, to serve
Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium–high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until browned on each side.
Mix the soy sauce and miso in a small bowl, then toss it in with the chicken in the pan. Add the black beans, avocado, and coconut milk and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Remove from the heat, throw in the spinach and stir in the lime juice. Serve with plenty of fresh herbs on top, with flatbreads, rice, or noodles.
Extracted from Menolicious: Eat Your Way to a Better Menopause (DK RED, £22) by Mariella Frostrup and Belles Berry
