Snowbet

Just an idea really rather than a recipe to use fresh snow to make a healthy sorbet-style treat. I have often tried mixing fruit juice with snow or drizzling syrup on top, with mixed results. But last summer I started making fruit sorbets and slushes with mango puree and crushed ice so this time I decided to try it with snow in place of ice.

Servings: 2-3 

Ingredients
About 1/2 cup mango or other fruit puree, chilled for best results
Freshly fallen snow (if you don't have time to make it immediately, gather the snow in a large bowl while it is still falling and place in the freezer until you are ready to make it)

Method
Place the fruit puree in a large bowl and add handfuls or cupfuls of snow, mixing well after each addition, until the mixture reaches the consistency of fruit slush or sorbet. You can use more or less fruit puree just add enough snow to reach the appropriate consistency. Eat immediately or it will melt.

Gingery kale smoothie

You  can barely taste the kale in this smoothie but it provides nutritional value and a bright green colour to the drink. It is is also a good way to get your fruit intake on a cold day, thanks to the warmth of the ginger.

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients

a handful of kale, chopped or shredded into small pieces (you do not have to chop it very finely but if the pieces are too large they might not blend properly) 

a handful of green grapes

1 medium apple, unpeeled, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped ginger

Method

Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor along with 1  - 1 1/2 cups water and blend until smooth. If it is too thick, dilute with some water. Serve freshly made.

Mango ice-cream with blueberries

This is a very easy recipe with only two ingredients for the ice-cream. There is no added sweetening as the mango and cashews are sufficiently sweet. The cashew nuts also provide a rich creamy texture. Blueberries complement mangoes well but substitute with other berries or chunks of mango if you wish.

Servings: 1-3
    

Ingredients
1 large ripe mango, peeled and cut into chunks

½ cup cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours

Blueberries or other fruit to serve

Method

Coarsely grind the cashews in a food processor/blender. Add the mango and blend till very smooth. Spread the mixture thinly on a foil lined baking tray and freeze for about 1 hour. The mixture should be solid and peel off the foil but not rock hard. Break the mixture into pieces and blend again till smooth and creamy. You may have to scrape down the sides and stir the mixture a few times in between blending to obtain a smooth texture. Serve topped with blueberries (or other fruit).