Method
Place the banana, coconut milk, yoghurt, milk, sugar and half the cinnamon in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and frothy. Pour into 4 glasses and add a few ice cubes. Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon just before serving.
APPLE SMILES
This snack is easy to prepare and is a fun and far healthier option to sweets. Apples are one of the all-time great convenience foods. They are a reasonable source of vitamin C, as well as pectin, soluble fibre that helps to remove cholesterol from the blood.
Apples also have a lower glycaemic index than other fruits, which means they keep blood sugar levels stable, helping to stave off hunger cravings. Cheese, which is also used in this recipe, is an excellent source of calcium and children need at least 350mg a day for building bones and teeth.
Peanut butter is also filling and a serving contains vitamin E and significant amounts of the B vitamins, niacin and biotin, which play an important role in releasing energy and maintaining healthy skin and nervous system.
Ingredients
Serves 2
1 red apple, cored and sliced into eighths
A squeeze of lemon juice
Smooth peanut butter
Small cubes of cheese
Dried apricots (optional)
Method
Spread peanut butter on one side of each apple slice and squeeze a little lemon juice onto it if not serving immediately. Place four small cubes of cheese on one apple slice, peanut butter side up, and then lay another apple slice, peanut butter side down on top. For added effect, add an apricot between two cubes of cheese in the middle of the smile to make a tongue.
PEACH MELBA SMOOTHIE
More often than not children choose drinks containing sugary contents so giving your child something nutritious to drink like a smoothie will ensure that he or she at least gets some nutrients. A smoothie can be served alongside brown toast or cereal.
Ingredients
Serves 2
75g (3oz) raspberries
1/2 x 425g (15oz) canned peaches in natural juice, drained
200ml (7 fl oz) full-fat milk
1 tablespoon icing sugar
Method
Purée the raspberries and peaches and push through a sieve to remove any seeds. Using a hand blender, mix together the yoghurt, fruits, milk and icing sugar until smooth.
CHEESY BREAD SHAPES
There's nothing a child likes more than munching on crisps but getting youngsters involved in the kitchen should get them interested in cheesy shapes - a more nutritious alternative. This popular snack is a great alternative to bland-looking bread rolls or sandwiches which children easily get bored with. Encouraging your child to eat cheesy shapes is also an ideal way to fulfil their daily calcium quota.
Ingredients
Makes 6 shapes
225g (8oz) strong plain flour plus flour to dust
A pinch of salt
½ tablespoon fast action dried yeast
½ teaspoon caster sugar
1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
400ml (2/3 pint) warm water
25g (1oz) Red Leicestershire cheese, grated
1 spring onion, finely chopped
To decorate
1 egg, beaten
Currants
Grated cheese
Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Method
Sift the flour, mustard and salt into a bowl. Place the yeast in a mixing bowl, pour over the warm water, stir in the sugar and mix with a fork. Allow to stand until the yeast has dissolved and starts to foam (about 10 minutes). Stir in the oil and gradually mix in the flour mixture. If the dough is sticky, add a little extra flour.
Transfer to a floured work surface and knead gently for about five minutes to make a smooth pliable dough. Gradually knead the grated cheese and spring onion into the dough to give it a streaky effect. Shape the dough into animal shapes and put them onto a greased baking tray. Cover with a tea towel and then put them in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Brush the shapes with beaten egg and add currants for eyes. Sprinkle the tops with grated cheese, sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Bake in an oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden.
Recipes taken from Superfoods for Babies and Children and the Family Meal Planner by Annabel Karmel, published by Ebury, priced £14.99, and Great Healthy Food for Vegetarian Kids, published by Carroll and Brown, priced £12.99. |
