Bring back the sunshine with a granadilla (or thirty!)

We’ve found the secret of eternal summer and we’re going to share it with you.  It’s actually quite simple…

It’s the granadilla.

Looks bad, tastes great

Yep, a piece of fruit is our answer to constant sunshine and good times…as well as Simply Nectar of course!  The granadilla tastes so fruity and delicious that every time we tuck into one our minds are whisked off somewhere exotic and far away.  Admittedly our minds didn’t need to be whisked away too far because we were experiencing glorious weather in England, but today isn’t so good.  And, as we all know, the sun doesn’t hang around for long on these shores. So, as soon as the clouds come over, cut open a granadilla, gobble down its contents and cast your mind to warmer climes.

We love granadillas so much that we’ve stocked up on them.  Sadly we don’t have enough to make bottles and bottles of Simply Nectar but we do have enough to be constantly on holiday in our minds!  We want to prolong the enjoyment so we’re using them in recipes in order to make lots of granadilla flavoured foods.  We’re so keen to get the world tucking into granadillas that we want to share the recipes with you.  Get making them and pretty soon you could constantly be on a hot, deserted island….just like us.  Not with us though.  Sorry, we’re all alone on our island.  No offence.

Granadilla Jam

24 granadillas
1 cup water
juice of 1 lemon
1.1 kg sugar

1. Wash the granadilla, cut in half and scoop out the fruit into a bowl.  Put the granadilla shells in a bowl, cover with the water and leave overnight.

2. Transfer the shells and water to a pan and boil for around 30 minutes, or until the insides of the shells are tender. Drain the shells, scoop out the soft white skin inside and discard the shells. Chop up the pulpy skin.

3. Put the pulp, reserved fruit and water in a pan and bring to the boil. Add the lemon juice and sugar, stir until dissolved and boil rapidly to setting point.

This recipe was taken from: www.readersdigest.co.za/

Granadilla Muffins (Makes 12)
1½ Cups Self Raising Flour
½ Cup Plain Flour
½ Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 Cup Milk or Buttermilk or Plain Yoghurt
¾ Light Vegetable Oil
Pulp from 6 Granadillas
Extra Coloured Sugar for Sprinkling (optional)

Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC.  Grease and or line with muffin papers a muffin tin of 80ml capacity cups.  In one bowl sift together the flours and add all the dry ingredients.  In a second bowl mix together the wet ingredients, including the fruit.  Make a well in the centre of the flour bowl and gently combine the wet and dry.  Mix only until the flour is moistened - it will be a lumpy batter.  DO NOT BEAT.  Divide the mixture equally between the 12 muffin cups.  Sprinkle a little coloured sugar on each muffin (optional).  Bake for 20 -25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.  Allow to cool and enjoy.

This recipe was taken from: www.foodbuzz.com/

Courtesy of Foodbuzz.com

Granadilla Fridge Tart
One packet lemon or peach jelly

410g chilled Evaporated milk

1/4cup caster sugar
5 or 6 fresh grandillas
Two packets biscuits of your choice (e.g. Rich Tea or Digestives) crushed

Mix the jelly with 250 ml boiling water and leave to cool off for a bit (don't put it in the fridge!).  Beat the ideal milk until it becomes almost stiff.   Continue beating while adding the sugar. It should look thickened.  Stir in the cooled jelly and pulp, combine well.  In attractive glass bowls, layer with biscuit crumbs and jelly mixture and end off with biscuits.  This can be done in a large dish too.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to set.

This recipe was taken from: www.food24.com/

Granadilla sorbet (serves four)

2 cups sugar cubes

1 cup orange, juice

2 large egg whites, beaten

2 cups granadillas

Heat sugar and orange juice in a saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved completely.  Allow to cool.  Stir through pulp and freeze for 45 - 60 minutes.  Beat egg whites until stiff, fold through mixture and freeze.  Beat mixture with an electric beater every 45 - 60 minutes, or until it freezes into fine crystals.

This recipe was taken from: http://www.picknpay.co.za/

Courtesy of picknpay.co.za

So there we have some easy to make granadilla goodies.  What’s even better is that you can combine them!  How about having granadilla sorbet with granadilla flan?  Or put granadilla jam on your granadilla muffin?  Is that too much?  Hmm, ok.  I promise we aren’t obsessed with them…much.

Enjoy the granadillas and enjoy the exotic location you go to.  May see you there one day!

Simply granadilla,

Simply Nectar

Limerick/poem competition - winner announced

A little while ago we ran a competition to get you lot talking and writing in rhymes.  We asked for you to send in some limericks and poems, and that is exactly what you did.  The results were fantastic – some amusing, some heart-warming and some just plain strange…but we loved them all.

Everybody in the office read the entries and we put the final decision down to a group vote.  It was difficult to choose a winner but a winner we did choose.  We liked the winning limerick because it made us giggle – and that was one of the aims of the competition.  We wanted it to put a smile on our faces and that is exactly what this one did.  It appealed to our more silly side and although the other limericks and poems embraced lots of relevant facts about Simply Nectar, this one stayed in our heads. Take a read and see what you think:

Mango Simply Nectar

Every time Tim had a mango
It would make him dance the tango
Then Simply Nectar he tried,
And it was so good he cried,
“This makes me do the fandango”

By Anna Holtsbaum

(Anna wrote the limerick about a good friend who is a bit obsessed with mangoes!)

CONGRATULATIONS ANNA.  Some bottles of Simply Nectar are winging their way to you. 

There were many other poems and limericks that we liked so thank you and well done to everybody who sent them in.  Some of our favourites are below.  They struck a chord with us because they describe Simply Nectar perfectly.  They are fun and roll off the tongue – ooh look, the poet in me is now coming out!  Plus these ditties make us think of sun drenched, French shores far removed from the office we’re sat in right now.

I know a drink so delicious,

You’ll think I am being fictitious,

No sugar, just fruit,

So let us salute

Simply Nectar, it’s truly nutritious.

By Kate Allen

From the sun kissed orchards of Provence,
So ripe, there's no need to enhance;
An ambrosial delight,
The future looks bright
For Simply Nectar, ethically made in France.

By Yasmin Mohammed

Simply Nectar

It’s made from only fruit and is sugar free,

That’s why the brand is called Simply,

Simply Nectar beats the competition,

Especially the Mango, Peach and Citron,

These flavours are some of the best

But don’t forget to try the rest.

There’s also apple, apricot and pear,

But don’t worry the range doesn’t stop there.

Raspberry and orange are on the list,

Made in France – they’re all sunkissed,

So get your chops around Simply Nectar,

They’ll definitely make your life taste better.

By David Barlow

An ode to Simply Nectar Peach

When I sup on Simply Nectar Peach,

I’m instantly transported to a sunny beach.

The goodness of this drink I could forever preach,

So go try it yourself – don’t just listen to my speech.

By Andy Furness

Even Jeremy had a go.  He wrote a limerick about Simply Nectar, but it also involved Ekta, our food technical coordinator!  Take a read of the following.  What do you think?  Is he a poet or what?!

There was a young lady called Ekta,
Who had an unexplainable thing for Simply Nectar,
She would turn bright red,
When the name was said,
Because the awesome flavour decked her

Good work guys and a big thank you to all who entered.  If you want your Simply Nectar poem or limerick published then let us know.  We’ll happily put it live on the blog, Twitter and Facebook.

Simply rhymes,

Simply Nectar

Simple smoothes - drink your way to paradise

This current British weather is enough to make anybody pack their bags and run screaming into the sun in search of a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment.  I am certainly on the verge of doing so myself.  Our summer time is very often a bit of a joke and we all know it.  But there is a way we can still have a little bit of sunshine on these grey, cold and wet days.  How?  By tucking into a smoothie that offers a taste of the good life.

In an effort to bring summertime indoors, and to get a flavour of the exotic, Simply Nectar has pulled together these great smoothie recipes.  Just supping on one of these healthy, fruity and delicious smoothies is enough to transport your mind to a tropical destination far away from England's predictably dreary shores.  The taste will bring back precious memories of happy, lazy days spent in the sunshine; the smell of frangipani in the air; the sea sleepily lapping at your feet.  Oh what we'd all give to be there right now.  Make one (or more) of these easy and tasty smoothies and you can be (sort of!)

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You don't need many ingredients so these won't cost you an arm and a leg to make.  It'll be the cheapest holiday you've had!  Plus, the best thing about these smoothies is that they all contain Simply Nectar.  These smoothies use Peach Simply Nectar and Mango Simply Nectar.  We'll add more recipes for other flavours next week.

Simply Peach

• bottle Peach Simply Nectar
• ½ cup peach yoghurt
• ½ cup milk
• 6 ice cubes

Directions: Blend the Peach Simply Nectar with the ice and milk.  Slowly add the yoghurt and blend for another minute on a low setting.

Simply Mango

• 1 bottle Mango Simply Nectar
• ½ cup mango yoghurt
• ½ cup milk – preferably whole or semi skimmed
• 6 ice cubes

Directions: Blend the Peach Simply Nectar with the ice and milk.  Slowly add the yoghurt ad blend for another minute on a low setting. 

Peach, banana and ice cream

• 1 bottle Peach Simply Nectar
• 1 small banana or ½ a large banana
• ½ cup peach or vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk

Directions: Start by blending the Peach Simply Nectar with the banana and milk.  Add the ice cream last and blend for 30 seconds on low to keep the ice cream texture in the smoothie.  This is a very great tasting and healthy peach smoothie that is ideal for children.

Mango, banana and pineapple

• 1 bottle Mango Simply Nectar
• ½ fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 small banana or ½ large banana, chopped
• Juice of ½-1 lime (according to taste)
• 150ml milk
• 8 ice cubes

Directions: Blend the Mango Simply Nectar with the pineapple, banana, milk and ice cubes until the desired consistency is reached.  Add lime juice according to taste.

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Peach and banana

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas — (about 2 large), — frozen
• 1 bottle Peach Simply Nectar
• ½ cup milk

Directions: Place all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until smooth. Serve immediately over ice cubes. Serves 2.

Mango and strawberry

• 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• 1 cup Mango Simply Nectar, chilled
• 5 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
• 4 ice cubes

Directions: In a blender, combine strawberries, Mango Simply Nectar, yogurt, and ice and blend until mixture is smooth and frothy. Pour into 2 tall glasses.

Peach and raspberry

• 1 cup low fat peach yogurt
• 1 bottle Peach Simply Nectar
• ½ cup What On Earth organic raspberries
• 2 ripe medium peaches, diced

Directions:

Combine the yogurt and nectar in a blender. Add the raspberries and peaches. Blend until smooth. Serves 2

Mango and banana

• 1 bottle Mango Simply Nectar
• 1 banana, peeled and sliced
• 1 heaped tablespoon of honey
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 8 ice cubes

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients (add ice last) in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into glasses.  Garnish with additional fruit pieces, mint, and a straw.

If you have any other suggestions for smoothies we'd love to hear them.  Just drop us a line and let us know.  For now we hope you enjoy these suggestions.

Simply smoothies,

Simply Nectar

Have a better brekkie

Are you a fan of a big, hearty breakfast?  If not, you should be. 

The old adages go: “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,”  and also "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper," but who actually pays attention to these?  I know lots of people who avoid breakfast and I’m sure some of you reading this are culprits of doing so too, but why is breakfast so vital?  As advocates for having a large, wholesome breakfast, and as partners of the exciting Better Brekkie campaign, we’re going to tell you why you should tuck in to the best meal of the day.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The word breakfast literally means 'breaking the fast'. After going 10-12 hours overnight without food, your energy levels will be low.  Your body and brain therefore need food to top-up the stores and restore blood sugar levels – preferably within two hours of waking.  Breakfast restores glucose levels, an essential carbohydrate that is needed for the brain to function.  This explains why those who eat breakfast feel mentally and physically better than those who don’t.  Eating breakfast also has a positive effect on cognitive performance and, according to the NHS, can have long term health benefits.  It can reduce high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.  Breakfast eaters are less likely to be overweight because they are kick starting their metabolism.  Your metabolism slows down while you sleep and it doesn’t speed up until you eat again.  If you don’t eat until lunch time your body won’t burn as many calories as it could during the morning.  To stay fuller for longer and to increase metabolic rate, which leads to greater fat burning, you should have a high protein, low glycemic load breakfast.  Try also to include carbohydrates, fruit and dairy for a varied meal.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Breakfast is vital for all ages too.  Research has shown that eating breakfast can help improve children’s problem solving abilities, their memory, concentration levels and creative thinking.  School breakfast clubs have been linked with improved maths grades, reduced school absence and psychosocial problems.

Highlighting the importance of breakfast is something we feel very strongly about and is exactly the reason why we are a partner/sponsor for the Better Brekkie campaign.  This new initiative is being co-ordinated by PhytoTrade Africa, an organisation that represents producers of the Baobab super fruit, and it aims to get Britain to wake up to a better and healthier breakfast. 

  

The campaign kicks off with a week full of events, competitions and special offers between 24 and 30 September.  It will ensure that people start understanding the benefits of breakfast and why it is such a vital meal.  It will also stop those who say they don’t like breakfast or they don’t have time to eat it by showing quick, easy and varied breakfast options that suit all tastes.

We think we’re the ideal partner for this inspirational campaign because Simply Nectar is the perfect addition to breakfast.  It is a great drink to accompany the breakfast food and it’s also good way of getting one of your five a day.  What’s more, Simply Nectar drinks contain high amounts of vitamins.  Peach Simply Nectar, for example, contains more than 200 per cent of the RDA of vitamin C and Mango Simply Nectar contains more than 500 per cent.

Take a look at the Better Brekkie website (www.betterbrekkie.com) for more details on this fantastic campaign, and also to gather more interesting facts on why breakfast is and should be the most important meal of the day.

Simply breakfast,
 

Simply Nectar