By Hania Anabtawi Bitar, Cooking Expert
Photography by Mohammad Husani
Family Flavours / August 2014
Young chefs: Mazin Ayass, Seema AbuSalma, Sami Al’atout, Jana Jeneidi, Lilia and Laith Zyoud
We’ve got healthy snack recipes to fuel your child as she heads back to school. Start the school year right with these treats!
Avocado Milkshake
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado, peeled and frozen
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• ½ cup baby rocket leaves
• 2 kiwis, peeled
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup yoghurt
• ½ cup ice cubes
• 3 tbsp honey (optional)
Directions
Blend all the ingredients together well until you get a smooth juice. Garnish with kiwi.
Culinary tip
A firm avocado will ripen in a paper bag or in a fruit basket at room temperature within a few days. You can also keep it in a bag full of uncooked rice to help it ripen faster. Avocados are rich in Vitamin E, potassium and fibre and have antioxidant properties as well.
Mango milkshake
Ingredients
• 1 mango, peeled and cut
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• Kiwi slices and blueberries for garnishing
Directions
Blend all ingredients together and garnish with kiwi slices and blueberries.
Strawberry Milkshake
Ingredients
• 250 g strawberries
• 1 cup fresh milk
• ½ cup crushed ice
• 2-3 tbsp sugar (optional)
Directions
Blend all ingredients together.
Extra Cheesy Cupcakes
Rich in vegetables and calcium, these make great after school snacks.
Ingredients
Cream cheese or sour cream, cherry tomatoes
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon rind
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup cheddar cheese
• ⅓ cup mozzarella
• ¼ cup turkey cold cut slices,
cut small
• 3 tbsp black olive slices
• ¼ cup mixed bell peppers
• Pinch of oregano
• Pinch of Pizza and Pasta Chef
Paul spices
Directions
1. Mix the first nine ingredients together in a blender.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and fold in by hand.
3. Put in greased miniature pans or paper cups.
4. Bake in a 180°C oven for around 20 minutes.
5. Garnish with cream cheese or sour cream and some cherry tomatoes.
Brownie Cookies with Fresh Berries
Ingredients
• 4 eggs at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
For the cream cheese icing
• 3 tbsp butter at room temperature
• 6 tbsp cream cheese
• 1 cup icing sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla
For the topping
• Fresh mixed berries
for garnishing
• Fresh mint leaves
Directions
1. Mix the eggs well with the sugar and vanilla for two minutes. Add the oil, sifted flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
2. Place on a greased pan lined with wax paper and bake for around 20 to 25 minutes at 180°C.
3. Remove from oven and cut into your preferred shape (circles or hearts).
4. Mix all the cream cheese icing ingredients in a blender or with a fork until well blended and spread on each cookie.
5. Garnish with fresh berries and mint sprigs.
6. Serve cold. This works well both as a healthy lunchtime snack or an after school snack. You can make it even healthier by adding your child’s favourite fruit slices.