This is another recipe from my new cookbook, Blooming Delicious. Vermilion Publishing, £18.99. Photography by Chris Terry

Pork is rich in selenium, which needs to be present in your diet to help, with the development and growth of baby’s ears, skin and eyes. Selenium is also important for your hormone balance during the testing time of the first trimester. Constipation and nausea are common complaints at, this time, so the fibre from the pears will help keep things regular and your digestive system nice and healthy. Fennel seeds are often used to counteract nausea; try them crushed in some warm water during the day instead of your usual tea.

PREP TIME 10 MINUTES • COOK TIME 30 MINUTES • SERVES 2

2 pears, cored and

cut into eighths

350g baby new potatoes,

halved

2 fresh thyme sprigs,

leaves picked

2 tbsp fennel seeds

2 tbsp rapeseed oil,

plus extra to drizzle

1 tbsp runny honey

or maple syrup

1 pork fillet or tenderloin

(approx 400g)

salt and freshly ground

black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C). Place the pears, potatoes, thyme leaves (reserving a few for the pork), fennel seeds, oil and honey in a large bowl, mix well and season with salt and pepper. Spread the coated pears and potatoes out on a baking tray and roast in the oven for 10 minutes.

2. Slice the pork fillet into 4 pieces and season well with salt and pepper, the reserved thyme leaves and a drizzle of oil. After the initial 10 minutes, remove the baking tray from the oven and add the pork, cut side down. Roast for a further 25 minutes until the potatoes and pears are golden brown and the pork is firm to the touch. (If you are worried that the pork won’t be cooked you can check by inserting a metal skewer into the thickest part of the fillet. Leave it for 5 seconds before removing and placing the skewer on the back of your hand. If it is very hot, the pork is ready and safe to eat.)

3. Remove from the oven and set to one side to rest under a sheet of foil for 5 minutes. Slice the pork and serve with the potatoes and pears. Drizzle over any juices from the cooking tray and eat immediately