Mixed Berry and Beetroot Smoothie.

Beetroots are very high in in antioxidants, have an excellent source of folates, vitamin C and vitamin A.Beetroot when consumed uncooked aids in the protection of heart disease, strokes, to lower cholesterol and helps with anti aging.
We try and eat beetroot in salads and also use it in cooking but since beetroots are better eaten raw, I also sneak them into my smoothies. The earthy taste compliments most fruit but I particularly like to add beetroot to apples and berries. This mixed berry and beetroot smoothie has a lovely fresh earthy taste.

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Mixed Berry and Beetroot Smoothie

by Nayna Kanabar May-8-2016

Luscious summer berries and earthy beetroot makes this smoothie deliciously tasty and healthy too.

Ingredients:

• 1 Small beetroot peeled and diced
• 12 Strawberries hulled and diced
• 100 g Blueberries
• 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar
• 1 cup Ice cubes
• 50 ml Water

Method:

1. Add the ice into the Optimum 9400 blender and semi crush it.2. Add the strawberries, blueberries, beetroot and agave nectar with 50 ml water and blend together for 1 minute.3. Pour into tall glasses and serve

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: None Total time: 5 mins Yield: 2 servings

I used my Optimum 9400 to make my smoothie, you can use any blender that can crush ice.The Optimum 9400  is a powerful blender that grinds, pulses, chops, grates, cooks and makes icecreams at a flick of a switch. You can read a review about my Froothie Optimum 9400 here.

At the moment  the Optimum 9400 is available at a special offer introductory price of £339 which includes a 30 day trial so that you can return it back postage free if you are not totally satisfied with it. I love options like this because I feel that if I do invest in a gadget I want peace of mind that I can be100 percent happy with it.Also being a brand ambassador for Froothie any one purchasing through this post can you can get  Extra 2 years warranty to get this use the code "Special Ambassador Offer" on purchase

No Bake Fruit and Nut Bars

Dried fruit is something I always have in my breakfast cupboard. I love it chopped on porridge, mixed with my cereal or even to munch on when I feel peckish. One of my family's favorite snack is these dried fruit and nut bars, they are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or snacks.

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No Bake Fruit and Nut Bars

by Nayna Kanabar April-30-2016

Healthy and delicious fruit and nut bars that are perfect for snacks or healthy breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 6 Dried Apricots
• 6 Dried Dates
• 3 Dried Prunes
• 6 Dried Figs
• 1 cup mixed Finely chopped dried pineapple, dried papaya and dried mango
• 1/2 cup Coarsely chopped Almonds and cashew nuts
• 1 tablespoon Golden Syrup
• Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
• 1 tablespoon Cocoa Powder
• 100 g White Chocolate
• For Garnish 1 tablespoon finely sliced Pistachio nut and Almonds ( I have coloured my almonds red by putting the sliced almonds in a ziplock bag with a couple of drops of food colouring and shaking the bag. Transfer the coloured almonds on to a tray with kitchen paper and allow to dry. Use them for garnish as required)

Method:

1. Line 2 mini loaf tins with cling film and keep aside.2. Make sure there are no stones in the dried apricots and dates .3. Add the apricots, dates, prunes,figs, dried pineapple, papaya and mango in food processor/ blender (I used my Optimum 9400) and pulse to chop the fruit. Do not make a paste of the fruit, it needs to be in small pieces.4. Transfer the chopped fruit to a large bowl, add to it the almonds and cashnuts, golden syrup,cocoa powder and vanilla and mix everything together.You should me able to pinch a fistful of the mixture and it should hold shape.5. Press the mixture tightly in to the two mini loaf tins lined with cling film and pack the mixture tightly, smoothing it with the back of a spoon.6. Break the chocolate into small pieces and put it in a glass microwaveable bowl, Microwave the chocolate in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted.7. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the fruit and nut mixture and tap the tins to smooth out the chocolate.8. Sprinkle on top of the chocolate the sliced pistachio and colourd almonds.Place the loaf tins in the fridge to set for 2 hours.9. Remove the loaf tins from the fridge and using a blunt knife run it around the edge to release the fruit and nut bars. Lift the bars out using the cling film.10. Once de moulded , discard the cling film and slice the fruit and nut bars into 6 mm thick slices using a sharp knife.For a smooth cut, use a serrated knife dipped in hot water .

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: None Total time: 15 mins Yield: 18 slices

For more healthy on the go snack ideas check these recipes out:

Raw Chocolate Truffles by Tin and Thyme

No bake energy Balls

Fruity Flapjack energy bites by Eats Amazing

No bake cookies by Fab Food

I used my Optimum 9400 to chop my fruit and nuts  . The Optimum 9400  is a powerful blender that grinds, pulses, chops, grates, cooks and makes icecreams at a flick of a switch. You can read a review about my Froothie Optimum 9400 here.

At the moment  the Optimum 9400 is available at a special offer introductory price of £339 which includes a 30 day trial so that you can return it back postage free if you are not totally satisfied with it. I love options like this because I feel that if I do invest in a gadget I want peace of mind that I can be100 percent happy with it.Also being a brand ambassador for Froothie any one purchasing through this post can you can get  Extra 2 years warranty to get this use the code "Special Ambassador Offer" on purchase

Dairy Free Mango Ice cream (three Ingredients)

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Mango Icecream

by Nayna Kanabar February-22-2016

This delicious guilt free mango ice cream is dairy and sugar free too.

Ingredients:

• 3 Large Ripe Mangoes
• 2 Large overripe Bananas
• 200 ml Coconut Cream
• 2-3 drops Mango essence (optional)

Method:

1. Peel 2 of the mangoes and remove the stone and finely chop  them into cubes. Put in a ziplock bag in the freezer overnight.2. Peel the bananas and break them into chunks, place them in a ziplock bag in the freezer overnight.3. To make the ice cream add the frozen bananas and frozen mango into the Optimum 9400  blender and blend both ingredients until totally smooth and creamy.4. Add the coconut cream and the mango essence and blend for another minute till mixture is thick and creamy.5. Transfer the mixture to a tupperware pot and cover with lid and place it into the freezer for 3 hours.6. After three hours take the tupperware out of the freezer and using a fork stir the ice cream through to break up any ice crystals. Smooth the surface and return to freezer for another 3 hours.7. To serve the icecream remove tupperware from freezer and leave at room temperature for 5 minutes.8. Peel the remaining mango and remove the stone and finely dice it. 9. Stir in the mango pieces into the ice cream and scoop ice cream into serving bowls.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Freezing time: 6 hour Total time: 6 hour 10 mins Yield: 4 portions

I  made my Mango Ice cream in the The Optimum 9400 blender which was sent to me by Froothie to try out, you can see the original review here. The Optimum 9400 not only makes amazing smoothies, it, blends, pulses, grates, chops, grinds. makes cold icecreams and even cooks hot soup.
 It is available to buy at £349.00, It comes with a 1 MONTH TRIAL - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (includes return postage costs for UK customers)  You can also get an extra two year warranty if you order through this site using code "Brand Ambassador" If you like the sound of this awesome blender, please orders it through here.

Strawberry Almond Milkshake

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Strawberry Almond Milkshake

by Nayna Kanabar January-14-2016

Delicious and creamy strawberry and almond milk blended together with ice to make a frothy milkshake.

Ingredients:

• 12 Strawberries
• 200 ml Almond Milk chilled
• 4-6 teaspoons Stevia sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup Ice cubes

Method:

1. Hull the strawberries and chop them up in bite size pieces.2. Add the ice to the Optimum 9400 blender or any blender that crushes ice and blend for 30 seconds.3. Add the strawberries, almond milk, vanilla and the stevia sugar (you will need 4-6 teaspoons as it's not very sweet) . Blend all the ingredients for another minute.3. Pour the Strawberry almond milkshake into two tall chilled glasses and serve immediately. 
NB You can make the almond milk in the Optimum 9400 to see how check  here.
This milkshake is vegan and very healthy, if you prefer your milkshake thick you can add a ripe banana to thicken it.

Details

Prep time: 3 mins Total time: 3 mins Yield: 2 servings

I made my Almond milk in the The Optimum 9400 blender which was sent to me by Froothie to try out, you can see the original review here. The Optimum 9400 not only makes amazing smoothies, it, blends, pulses, grates, chops, grinds. makes cold icecreams and even cooks hot soup.
 It is available to buy at £329.00, It comes with a 1 MONTH TRIAL - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (includes return postage costs for UK customers) Currently it is available on special offer only £299 for a limited time  and you can also get an extra two year warranty if you order through this site using code "Brand Ambassador" If you like the sound of this awesome blender, please orders it through here.

Moru Kachiyathu with Mango and Bananas (Seasoned Buttermilk)

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Moru Kachiyathu with Mango and Bananas (Seasoned buttermilk)

by Nayna Kanabar October-18-2015

A delicious buttermilk curry seasoned with mango and bananas tempered with South Indian spices.This is a very traditional buttermilk dish that is regularly served in Kerala.

Ingredients:

• 400 ml Natural Yoghurt
• 1 large Ripe mango
• 1 large Banana
• 1 teaspoon Ginger paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric 
• 1.5 teaspoon Salt
• 15 Curry leaves
• 2 Green Chillies
• 1 small Red Onion
• 2 Dried Red chilli
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds

Method:

1. Slice the onion thinly into long strips and keep aside.2.Slit the green chillies and keep aside.3.Slice the mango on both sides on the stone so you have two halves and remaining mango on stone.4. Slice one half of mango into thin slices keeping the skin on and keep aside.5. Peel the skin off the remaining mango and cut the flesh into small cubes. Do this with all the mango flesh on the stone as well.6. Add the diced mango to the Optimum 9400 Blender and puree it to a pulp.7. Once mango is pureed add the yoghurt,salt,ginger and turmeric to the mango and blend it for a few seconds.Transfer the mango yoghurt mixture to a large bowl.8. Slice the banana and add it to the yoghurt mixture together with the mango slices that were kept aside. Mix together.9. Add oil in a pan and when it is hot add the onions and saute them for a few minutes, add the onions to the yoghurt mixture and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a serving dish.

10. Add a little more oil to the pan and when it is hot add the mustard seeds , green chillies, red chillies and curry leaves. Pour the tempering on top of the yoghurt mixture and its ready to serve.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 20 mins Yield: serves 4

I got the inspiration for this recipe from a South Indian Cookery class I recently visited at Food at 52.

I made my recipe in the The Optimum 9400 blender which was sent to me by Froothie to try out, you can see the original review here. 
The Optimum 9400 is a really powerful and versatile blender, not only does it blend liquids, it can pulse, grate and grind ingredients. It crushes ice in seconds and you can create the most amazing icecreams in minutes. But that is not all, you can also create hot soups and sauces in the same blender too.I love using the blender for creating smoothies, soups, icecreams and nut butters too. It can even make scrambled eggs!!!

The Optimum 9400 is available to buy at £349.00, It comes with a 1 MONTH TRIAL - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (includes return postage costs for UK customers) For citrusspiceuk readers you can get a extra two years warranty  if you order through this post. Just put "Special Ambassador Offer" in comment box on order form.
If you like the sound of this awesome blender, please order it through here.

Butternut Squash and Kale Soup~ 5-2 diet

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Butternut Squash and Kale Soup

by Nayna Kanabar May-10-2015

Creamy and delicious butternut squash with healthy kale soup.

Ingredients:

• 400 g Butternut Squash
• Large handful Kale
• 1 Medium white Onion
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon Olive oil
• 500 ml Water
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Fat free Greek yoghurt

Method:

1. Peel the butternut squash and chop it into small cubes.2. Wash the kale and chop it finely.3. Peel and dice the onion finely.4. Peel and chop the garlic finely.5. Add oil in a pan and wait for it to heat up. Add the garlic and onions and saute the onions for 3-4 minutes, next add the butternut squash and 500 ml water and cook the butternut squash for 10 minutes until soft.6. Add the kale and cook for another 5 minutes.7. Transfer the soup to the Optimum 9400 blender and blend the soup for 1-2 minutes.8. Transfer the soup back to the pan and season with salt and pepper. You can adjust the consistency to your preference by adding a little more water if you like.Once soup has heated through transfer to serving bowls and swirl some greek yoghurt over it. Serve with fresh bread.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins Yield: 2 servings

I made my soup in the Optimum 9400 blender, it is a great blender that will create amazing smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, smooths, nut milks in a jiffy. It also grates, slices and grinds. The Optimum 9400 is currently available at a special price of £ 329.00, it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee with free return postage of you are not totally satisfied with it. You can also get an extra 2 year warranty if you order through here using code "Special Ambassador offer"

Suitable for 5-2 diet
Bread not included in count.

Calories per serving	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
170	34	4	5	178	8

Submitting to:
In my VEG BOX ~ Buternut Squash event by citrusspiceuk, guest hosted by Mayuri's Jikoni

Mango and Coconut Smoothie

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Mango and Coconut Smoothie

by Nayna Kanabar April-13-2015

Delicious mango and coconut flavours in a creamy smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 1 Large ripe mango
• 150 ml Coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon Fresh grated Coconut
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 10 Ice cubes

Method:

1. Peel and dice the mango and add it to the Optimum 9400 blender jug.2. Add the ice cubes, coconut milk and honey and blend all the ingredients for 1 minute to form a fine puree.3. Stir in two thirds of the fresh coconut and pour the smoothie into two tall glasses. Garnish with remaining fresh grated coconut.

Details:

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: None Total time: 10 mins Yield: 2 Glasses

I added honey to my smoothie as my mango was not very sweet, if you have a very sweet mango leave out the honey. I made my smoothie in the The Optimum 9400 blender which was sent to me by Froothie to try out, you can see the original review here. 
All the views of the Optimum 9400 are of my own experience of the blender and totally honest and unbiased.
It  is available to buy at £329.00, It comes with a 1 MONTH TRIAL - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (includes return postage costs for UK customers) Currently it is available on special offer only £299 for a limited time using your launch special intro coupon type intro30GBP.
If you like the sound of this awesome blender, please orders it through here.

Almond Masala milk

Masala Milk is a very popular milk drink served at weddings and special occasions all over India.It is a milk drink made from full fat dairy milk which is boiled and reduced and than  enchriched with spices nuts and saffron. It can be served hot or cold. I have given this traditional drink a twist by making it with almond milk.

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Almond Masala milk

by Nayna Kanabar February 3rd  -2015

Beautiful araomatic Indian spices fused in sweet almond milk with royal nuts and saffron

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 10 raw almonds
• 10 raw cashew nuts
• 10 raw pistachio nuts
• 1 teaspoon cardamon powder
• few strands saffron

Method:

1.Soak the almonds in 1 cup water for 2 hours 2.Add the soaked almonds and two cups of water to the Optimum 9400 and blend the almonds until you get smooth almond milk.3.Line a large jug with a muslin cloth and pour the almond milk into it to strain the milk. Squeeze out the milk and discard the almond residue.4.Pour the almond milk into a bottle and keep it in the fridge and use as required 5.Coarsely grind the nuts in the Optimum 9400 and keep them aside 6.Pour the almond milk into pan and heat it up to slow simmer 7.Add a few strands of saffron, the ground nuts, cardamom powder and the sugar and mix together 8.Pour the hot almond masala milk into serving glasses and serve hot

Details

Prep time:10 mins Cooking Time:5 minutes Soaking Time:2 hours  Total time:2.15 hours Yield: 6 servings

I made my Almond milk in the The Optimum 9400 blender which was sent to me by Froothie to try out, you can see the original review here. 
All the views of the Optimum 9400 are of my own experience of the blender and totally honest and unbiased.
It  is available to buy at £329.00, It comes with a 1 MONTH TRIAL - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (includes return postage costs for UK customers) Currently it is available on special offer only £299 for a limited time using your launch special intro coupon type intro30GBP.
If you like the sound of this awesome blender, please orders it through here.

Submitting this to:
Lets cook/create hot beverages event by simplyfood.

South Indian Style Dried Coconut Chutney

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Dried Coconut Chutney

by Nayna Kanabar January 8th -2014

Spicy and delicious South Indian Style Coconut Chutney.

Ingredients:

• 90 g Dried Coconut slices
• 2 red chillies de seeded
• 120 g Natural Yoghurt (beaten)
• 1/2 tablespoon light olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 red dried chilli
• 4-5 curry leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon white urad dhal

Method:

1.In a frying pan dry roast the coconut slices for 3-4 minutes until they start to release a nutty fragrance and colour very slightly.2.Add the toasted coconut to the froothie blender together with the two red chillies and grind to a coarse texture.3.Transfer the coconut to a bowl and reserve a teaspoon full for garnish. To the rest of it add the salt, and yoghurt and mix well. 4.Transfer the yoghurt mixture to a serving dish.5.In a pan heat up the oil , when it is hot add the mustard seeds, urad dhal, red dried chilli and the curry leaves and wait for it all to crackle (This is called tempering).Immediately the ingredients start  to crackle, pour the tempering over the yoghurt mixture.Sprinkle the reserved coconut over the chutney too. The dried coconut chutney can be served with tortilla crisps,crisps or with any savoury snack.

Details

Prep time:10 mins Cooking Time:2 minutes Total time:12 mins Yield:1 bowl

I made my Coconut chutney in the Optimum 9400 blender, it is a great blender that will create amazing smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, smooths, nut milks in a jiffy. It also grates, slices and grinds. The Optimum 9400 is currently available at a special price of £ 329.00, it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee with free return postage of you are not totally satisfied with it. To read more about it and purchase one you can check my review here.

Pear and Spinach Smoothie.

I haven't posted my regular smoothie recipe for a while, that does not mean I have stopped making them and drinking them. On the contrary my family have gone smoothie made and each member is trying to out do the other by concocting unique smoothies. This is really pleasing me as they are trying new ingredients that I could have never got them to try. This pear and spinach green smoothie was created by my daughter and it really did turn out super delicious.Thanks to Optimum 9400, my angel in disguise who has converted my green veggie shy kids into smoothie junkies!!!

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Pear and Spinach Smoothie

by Nayna Kanabar October-13-2014

Healthy and Delicious Vitamin packed smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 2 Ripe conference Pears
• 1 handful Baby Spinach
• 12 Seedless Green grapes
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 10 Ice cubes
• 100 ml Pear Juice

Method:

1. Place the grapes in the freezer overnight.2. Half the pears and remove the core and seeds, add them to the Optimum 9400 blender jug.3. Add the spinach, frozen grapes, ice cubes, pear Juice and honey and blend together on low speed, gradually increasing the speed for 1-2 minutes.4. Pour the green smoothie into serving glasses and serve chilled.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 0Total time: 5 mins Yield: Serves 2

I made my smoothie in the Optimum 9400  blender, it is a great blender that will create amazing smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, smooths, nut milks  in a jiffy. It also grates, slices and grinds.

The Optimum 9400 is currently available at a special price of £ 329.00, it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee with free return postage of you are not totally satisfied with it. To read more about it and purchase one you can check my review here. 

If you decide that you want to purchase the  Optimum 9400 blender then please do order it from this link as you will get an extra two year warranty on it. Make sure you put in the comment box "special ambassador offer"

Blueberry and apple smoothie

Refreshing breakfast smoothie with antioxidants and healing power of ginger.

Ingredients:

200 g fresh blueberries
I apple
1 tablespoon goji berries
1 large cup of ice cubes ( approx 20)
1 cm piece of fresh ginger peeled
1 tablespoon honey

Method:

1. Wash the blue berries, reserve a few for garnish and add the remaining to the Optimum 9400 blender.
2. Core the apple and cut it into chunks and place it in the blender.
3. Add the cube of ginger and goji berries together with the ice and honey. Blend to a smooth purée.
4. Transfer to serving glasses and garnish with few blueberries before serving

I made my Blueberry and Apple Smoothie in the Optimum 9400  blender, it is a great blender that will create amazing smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, smooths, nut milks  in a jiffy. It also grates, slices and grinds.
The Optimum 9400 is currently available at a special price of £ 329.00, it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee with free return postage of you are not totally satisfied with it. To read more about it and purchase one you can check my review here. 

Submitting to:
Lets Cook with Apples event by simply.food

Raw Mango Salsa

Spicy and tangy salsa that is perfect for summer barbecues and parties.

Ingredients:

3 small green raw mangoes
Handful of fresh coriander leaves
3 green chillies
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Method:

1.Cut the mangoes in half and remove the stone, keeping the skin on, chop the mango roughly.
2. Wash the coriander and chop it up roughly  including the stalks.
3. Half the chillies and remove the white membrane and seeds and roughly chop them up.
4. Add the mango, coriander, chillies, lemon juice, salt and sugar to the Optimum 9400 and pulse the ingredients for 30 seconds to get a coarse texture.
5. Transfer the salsa to a serving bowl and serve with tortilla or potato chips.

I made my mango salsa in the Optimum 9400  blender, it is a great blender that will create amazing smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, smooths, nut milks  in a jiffy. It also grates, slices and grinds.
The Optimum 9400 is currently available at a special price of £ 329.00, it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee with free return postage of you are not totally satisfied with it. To read more about it and purchase one you can check my review here.