This lovely smooth nectarine chia pudding was just what I needed the morning after the General Election when I felt exhausted and strung out after all the highs and lows of the long night before. I needed energy, but most of all something to give me a lift. Like the rest of the country, I didn’t know which end was up and needed the certainty and stability (sic*) of a reliably healthy, and refreshing breakfast to keep me going through the inevitable long drawn-out hours of bemused debate and analysis to come, while everyone figured out who was running the country (we’re still not sure!).
It can be served in a glass as a smoothie for breakfast or with slightly thicker consistency in a dish for dessert.
I’m not sure why I’m publishing it so long after the election, I think I thought there were rather too many smoothies stacked up together or it may be because the weather got so cold I thought soup was more appropriate!
Anyway, here it is:
If you use frozen fruit it will be thicker and chilled, lovely for a warm day or to perk you up in the morning, or just use more or less coconut water for the desired consistency.
We had some lovely juicy nectarines in our organic veg box recently and whilst I normally prefer to eat them as is (despite the juice inevitably dribbling down my top!), a couple were becoming over-ripe in the fruit bowl and were sliced up & frozen, so I decided to put one in this smoothie. They were small, so we used just half a medium banana to go with it.
This pudding has lots of healthy ingredients and beneficial nutrients: protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamins A, B, C, E, omega oils, probiotics, fibre to name but a few.
Ingredients – Serves 1
(Vegan, Glutenfree, Organic)
1 Nectarine (fresh or frozen)
Half Medium Banana (fresh or frozen)
2 Tbsps Plain Live Yogurt of your choice
1 Heaped Tbsp Peanut Butter
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds**
1 Tbsp Buckwheat Flakes
1 Tbsp ground Golden Linseeds**
Small to Medium Glass Unsweetened Coconut Water
1/2 Tbsp Baobab Powder**
Blend for about 40 seconds and serve, sprinkled with a few chia seeds or a slice of nectarine.
*For the non-Brits, ‘Strong and Stable’ was the Tories’ campaign mantra.
**See also: Three Cheers for Chias! What Are Chia Seeds & How Do I Use Them? Recipes included
Golden Linseeds (aka Flax Seeds): The Original Superfood?
The Benefits of Baobab, a Fruity Protein Smoothie + Review of Aduna Bars.
Copyright: Chris McGowan
We just had one of those midweek days when you have some bits of vegetables that are less than fresh and there’s not quite enough to use each on their own. When this happens, we don’t discard them, we make soup. In this instance, the weather had gone from scorching hot to wet, windy and distinctly chilly, so soup would be very welcome.
Well, it’s mid June and still we are wearing long socks and woolly cardis while cowering inside from gale force winds and rain, but worry not, we Brits are a hardy bunch and we know how to keep our peckers up! Here’s an easy wholesome dinner that will not only warm your cockles but is satisfyingly healthy too.
We had a pomegranate and some spinach in our organic veg box that needed using, as well as some homegrown mung bean sprouts,* and this is what I came up with.
Made these when we discovered we were about to be invaded by littles for their first Easter egg hunt with us, and then later by strapping, ever-ravenous teenagers always on the prowl for something ‘tasty’ (which is code for sweet!) Giant-sized pan of pasta sauce was on the go at the same time. Chocolate nests were in the freezer, marzipan eggs still to be made.
Allow to cool.
Many years ago, Delia Smith’s cookery books became our bible and a particular family favourite was and remains her vegetarian Cheesy Herb Sausages. My husband makes them every week. Our daughter-in-law was introduced to them when she joined our family and now makes a personal request for them when she comes to visit.
In my opinion, one can never have too many recipes for raw chocolate, so here is another easy version of the do-it-yourself kind. It is quite rich, you only need a small amount, so bear this in mind when giving it to young children. It contains minerals, protein, antioxidants and is dairy-free.
pearsnotparsnipsdotcom 
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