Healthy festive feasting
SANDTON – Festive feasting need not be so unhealthy and here are a few other healthier, tasty recipes to enjoy.
The festive season comes with some serious binge eating and drinking, and celebrating.
Sugary and fattening foods are part and parcel of the festive celebrations, but what about those who wish to indulge in healthier foods? According to pastry chef, Christopher Ndlovu of Knead Bakery in Sandton, it is possible to make healthy treats that are lower in calories and sugar.
“People don’t realise that there are so many healthy ingredients out there at all supermarkets. As South Africans, we have our pick of some of the sweetest, best fruits in the whole world. So we need to take advantage of these healthy fruits which are high in fiber and natural sugars called fructose.”
Ndlovu shared one of his favourite fruit recipes which is perfect for the December heat.
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“My frozen berry cubes are perfect for children,” he said. “All you need to do is place frozen strawberries, raspberries and bananas in a blender until they are a smooth paste. I like using banana because it makes the mixture thicker and more luscious. Place the mixture in your ice tray cubes and keep in the freezer for 12 hours.”
These sweet, fruits cubes are perfect for pool parties, children’s birthday parties or a general healthy snack.
Ndlovu highlighted that fruitcake, which is a traditional dessert eaten during the festive season, can be made without sugar. “Eight sachets [or eight teaspoons] of any sugar substitute such as stevia or fructose can be mixed with half a cup of orange juice. Pour this mixture over a cup of dried cranberries and allow to soak.”
The next step is to mix a cup of raisins, a quarter cup of grated lemon rind, a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of ground allspice and one and a half cups of flour to the aforementioned fruity mixture. A cup of chopped, tinned pineapple can then be folded into the mixture.
Ndlovu explained that these fruits can be replaced by any other fruits such as diced, dried apricots, dried sultanas or dried dates. Nuts, such as walnuts, can also be added to the fruit cake to add an extra crunch and flavour.
“Bake this delicious, healthy cake that is rich in all sorts of fruits in a 160 degree oven for 40 minutes and enjoy. You will not believe it is sugar-free when you taste it.”
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