Spiced Apple and Pear Compote

Sep 27, 2015Sep 27, 2015 ~ cocoandlentil ~ 1 Comment

Delicious yoghurt topping

Coco and Lentil are big yoghurt fans and little tubs of raspberry, strawberry, apricot or peach flavoured yoghurt are a regular after supper dessert. Generally, Lentil chooses one first and little Coco gets whichever flavour he discards. I allow Lentil this little concession as I suspect it will quickly come to an end once Coco starts talking!

I like to add a bit of texture and additional flavour to their yoghurts and this little compote is a quick and tasty topping. It helps with satisfying your little charges’ 5 or 3 (depending on which school of thought you subscribe to!) a day; can be pureed for babies; and is suitable for freezing. It also makes a good combo with creme fraiche, or adds a little healthiness to an ice-cream treat!

Makes 4 portions.

The what:

2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into kiddie bite-sized chunks

2 pears, peeled, cored and chopped into kiddie bite-sized chunks

a handful of raisins or other dried fruit

1/4 tsp of mixed spice

60ml water

The how:

Put all the ingredients into a pan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. The compote is ready once the apple and pear are soft but not mushy. If the compote starts to stick to the bottom of the pan add a little more water.

Then it’s ready to serve: on its own, with yoghurt, creme fraiche or ice-cream! It is also delicious with porridge or muesli…..endless possibilities!

Enjoy!

Strawberry Goodness Dessert Pot

Jul 3, 2015Aug 4, 2015 ~ cocoandlentil ~ Leave a comment

“More strawberries?” I hear you say. But it’s summer and they are just soooooo delicious! I just can’t get enough of these scarlet berries at the moment. Plus I’m getting all caught up in Wimbledon fever, especially with this fantastic weather. And heaven forbid we waste any strawberries! So here is a little dessert I created earlier this week. It went down such a treat with Lentil and Mr C&L that we’re having it again this evening. You can use whatever fruit you like: it’s a great way of using up any leftovers while they are still fresh. And it’s so quick and easy, just an assembly job really, which leaves more time to focus on the main course. Just as well as I have no clue what we’re having yet! Hoping to get a little inspiration when I head to the fishmongers later. As delicious as this pot of goodness it, I’m not sure Mr C&L would want to forego a main dish for it……

Makes one Papa-sized sharing pot and one smaller pot with two kiddie portions.

The what:

6 large strawberries, stem removed and quartered

75g blueberries

5 tbsp natural yoghurt

1 tbsp honey

large handful of granola

some orange zest for sprinkling on top

The how:

Mix the yoghurt and honey together. If making in one large bowl, layer the bottom of your bowl/jar with half the quartered strawberries. Dollop 4 tbsp of the honey yoghurt on top. Next add the granola and layer the blueberries on top of that. Add the remaining strawberries and 1 tbsp of honey yoghurt. Finally sprinkle a little orange zest on top. Be sure to just use the outer zest as if you go too close to the orange flesh it will be bitter.

Then grab a spoon and tuck into to this pot of deliciousness!

Would love to hear any other ideas you have for fruits to use. xx

Crunchy blueberry smoothie

Mar 21, 2015Mar 19, 2015 ~ cocoandlentil ~ 1 Comment

I’m simply hopeless at eating pieces of fruit: I always forget (or go for the biscuit tin instead!) so I started making smoothies to try to pack in my 5-a-day. Of course Lentil was fascinated with mummy’s new drink, especially when he saw me sprinkle granola on top, and wanted some too. Great as a mid-morning snack or dessert for little ones. This will only take you about 5 minutes too!

Makes one large glass or a medium and a lentil-sized glass.

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