Strawberry Spring Trifle with Nutworks Sprinkles

Strawberry Spring Trifle


Clear blue skies, cool ocean water and gardens coming alive everywhere. Spring in Qld is one of my favourite times of year.
It also happens to be when beautiful local strawberries are in abundance, one of my absolute favourite of fruits.

As an local and healthy food blogger and as an ambassador for the new Nutworks Gourmet Sprinkles range found in Woolworths I couldn't wait to create a recipe that tasted and looked like Spring.
This trifle is just bursting with strawberry flavour and creamy Maleny Dairies real cream. The Nutworks Sprinkles add such an amazing crunch and hit of flavour tie-ing it all together so well.

Ingredients

• You will need a trifle jar.
• 2 x container's of Maleny Dairies real cream. (Or equivalent if you cannot get this cream where
• you are - its just my favourite! You can also use coconut cream for a paleo/vegan version)
• 1 x 250 gm punnet strawberries, washed, stems removed, cut in halves and frozen.
• 1 x 250 gm punnet strawberries, washed stems removed and kept fresh.
• 1 x packet Nutworks Gourmet Sprinkles - Raspberry Crumble Boost.
• 2 teaspoons organic vanilla paste/drops
• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar (opitonal)
• Shredded coconut
• Edible flowers and extra strawberries (whole) to serve

Method

• Blitz together half and half cream and frozen strawberries. I used one container Maleny Dairies Cream and the equivalent in Strawberries. It should be lovely and thick and tangy and a nice pink colour. Set aside in the fridge.
• Whip the second container if cream with the vanilla and optional coconut sugar.
• In your trifle bowl spread a layer of the whipped cream, top with sliced strawberries, then a layer of sprinkles, then a layer of the strawberry cream, then a layer of coconut then strawberries and then back to the cream and continue until the bowl is almost full.
• On the very top spoon a layer of whipped cream and form a peak in the centre.
• Cover with sliced strawberries and coconut and then generously cover in the sprinkles and top with 2 - 3 fresh whole strawberries.
• Chill for at least 30 minutes and serve!

Recipe & Photography by Rebecca Mugridge

This is a sponsoerd blog post as an ambassador for Nutworks and their new gourmet Sprinkles Range.
Find out all about this exciting new range of healthy flavourings HERE

Sprinkle Up Your Taste Buds - Nutworks Gourmet Sprinkles Range

Sprinkle up your taste buds

As a food blogger, recipe developer and local food ambassador I am so excited about the NEW Gourmet Sprinkle range from Nutworks found in Queensland Woolworths Stores Stores and made right here on the Sunshine Coast.

Nutworks have brought me on board to promote this delicious new product range.

This Sprinkles range has me excited. Nutworks are well known for having natural and healthy high quality ingredients and with these products even the simplest dish can become extraordinary from just one of these packets of flavour.

For example my Savoury Smokey Zucchini Herb Muffins with cream cheese frosting came alive with the Gourmet Sprinkles. Just by adding the Nutworks Texas Smoked Sprinkles the muffins have instant wow factor.

RECIPE >>> CLICK HERE
The Gourmet Sprinkle Range has been a conceptual idea for some time. In 2013 Nutworks created the original flavours and held a focus group for invited foodie and local business guests to come and taste the original and first trials of these sprinkles. The sprinkles were well received.  Over the next year and a half the recipes were refined, trialled and improved. At the same time Nutworks team were pitching the concept to the market. Finally at the end of 2014 the Gourmet Sprinkle Range was accepted as part of a 1 year contract into selected Queensland Woolworths Stores.

An exciting development for local food on the Sunshine Coast indeed.

What I absolutely love about the Gourmet Sprinkles range is how they not only taste sensational but how healthy they are for you as well.

Nuts are very important in a well-rounded diet. The diversity of flavours within the sprinkle range ensures that there is an opportunity at every meal to get the recommended serve of nuts for your daily intake. Research shows that nuts reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and can help with weight management.

And these ranges are just using natural ingredients and spices to create outstanding flavours.
Sprinkles are perfect for busy multi-tasking mums and families. Great for creating an outstanding dish for a dinner party, an event or just delicious family dinners without all the hassle of trying to perfect flavour combinations and spending heaps of time in the kitchen.

With flavour ranges of:

SAVOURY

·      Texas Smoked Almond

·      Asian Cashew

·      Mushroom, Rosemary Walnut

·      Lime Pepper Cashew

SWEET

·         Banana Coconut Boost

·         Raspberry Crumble Boost

·         Lime Coconut Boost

·         Apple and Cinnamon Boost

The Sprinkles Gourmet Range has a flavour combo to make any meal or snack outstanding.

I am really looking forward to working with Nutworks, a local food producer that I love to promote this range and craft some stunning recipes around them so stay tuned to the blog, newsletter and facebook and Instagram for more information and recipes!!
And if your wanting to try the ranges yourself they are even currently on special at Woolworths stores until the 19/09/2015

Check out the hash tags to find out what others are doing with the sprinkles and share your own ideas and recipes!

#Sprinkles #Nutworks #Allnutswelcome #TEXASalmond #Nutworkssprinkles #sprinklelove
#nutsforsprinkles #cookingwithBek 

Disclosure:
I am currently working as a paid product ambassador for Nutworks with their new Gourmet Sprinkles range, all opinions however are my own.
Recipes (c)RebeccaMugridge2015

Gluten free zucchini, herb & pepita smokey herb muffins with cream cheese frosting & Nutworks smokey sprinkles

It has been a long running inside joke in my family that I should open a muffin shop. I seem to be always making muffins and crafting new ones. There is something so wonderfully comforting and exciting about a muffin all at the same time, and the flavour possibilities are pretty much only as endless as your imagination!

What is not to love??

When Nutworks told me about their exciting new Gourmet Sprinkles range I was excited to try it, even more so when I started tasting the flavour combinations they had come up with. I have long been a fan of their products and natural ingredients.
In fact when you read the back of these sprinkles, their is not an additive or preservative in sight.

Nothing quite dresses a muffin up more than a whipped topping and a pop of crunch and flavour on top. Well these handy packets take all the guess work and prep work out as they are ready to snip and go.

As a busy mum, I really like that!!

When I tasted their Texas smoked my mind flew to paprika and smokey flavours and cream cheese so I crafted these muffins around my daydreaming taste buds. I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Bek xoxo

Zucchin, herb and pepita muffins with whipped lemon cream cheese frosting and Nutworks Smokey Sprinkles

Ingredients

2 free range eggs
1 large or 2 small zucchini
1 cup grated cheese
1/4 cup baby spinach leaves
2 cups self raising gluten free flour (could also use buckwheat with baking powder added)
1/8 cup olive oil
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes slivers
1/4 cup smoked ham/bacon/vegetarian ham or leave out. Cooked and sliced thinly.
1/4 cup pepita seeds
1 cup water (or as needed)

 1 packet cream cheese
1/4 cup chives chopped
1/4 cup parsley chopped

1/2 large lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon smokey paprika

Nutworks Texas Smoked Sprinkles. (Find me at woolworths.)

Method
Pre heat oven to 180'c.
Line a muffin tray with cases or grease.
Whisk eggs and oil together in a large bowl.
Sprinkle in some salt and add into this mixture the cheese, ham, zucchini, pepita, paprika, sun-dried tomato  and spinach and some of the water.
Gently fold the flour through the wet mixture, add a little extra water from the cup of water as needed. Mixture should be reasonably runny, easy to stir texture.
Fill cases approx 3/4 full.
Bake for around 20 minutes or until golden on top.
Remove from heat and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Whip the cream cheese with an electric beater/mixer with the lemon juice and nice and smooth and a little fluffy. Adjust amount of lemon to taste. You can use just a hint and replace with water.
Use a spatula to top each muffin with the cream cheese and top with the Nutworks smokey sprinkles.
Enjoy!!

Note:

These are fantastic to take to a BBQ, picnic, dinner party

Macadamia Bliss Balls and Real Food Festival 2013

On the Sunshine Coast we love our food and our local food producers, and we do love a festival!

The Real Food Festival is a definite highlight on the calender and 2 days of incredible food and presentations.

Sponsored by Nutworks I was delighted to present LOCAL FOOD BLISS and made a selection of delicious Bliss Balls featuring gorgeous local Sunshine Coast products

This image was taken by the very lovely

Chocolate Delight Bliss Balls

2 page feature in the Hinterland Times

About to go on stage pictured here with my Fab Slabs chopping boards,

 Naughty Naturopath Mum

In the audience it was so exciting to have the talented foodie talents of Cooker and a Looker and Naughty Naturopath Mum, two very talented women I admire very much and to see the kids in the front row enjoying the choccy nutty goodness of the bliss balls.
You can read the feature on my cooking presentation at the festival in the Hinterland Times HERE, "Back to basic's - that's all it takes!"As the lovely journalist and author Dale was there during my live cooking demonstration.

As you can see my oldest LOVES nutworks products very much

This is the macadamia paste I talk about and use all the time

So what did I make in Local Food Bliss??
Well bliss balls naturally! Bliss balls mad with gorgeous NUTWORKS products

Macadamia Bliss Balls

CHOC macadamia bliss balls
Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup Nutworks macadamia paste
• 1 cup Nutworks macadamia meal (like almond meal but with gorgeous macadamias) see notes
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/4 chopped Australian prunes
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup raw or to taste, organic honey - I used a local one that I got from Nambour's Health Beat
• 2 tablespoons organic cacao (can use cocoa - if I use ordinary cocoa I tend to use Planet Organic brand)
• 8 drops liquid chocolate stevia OPTIONAL ( I use the drops by sweet leaf)
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla paste
• 1/2 cup dessicated coconut extra
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds

Method

• Mash the banana until nice and smooth consistency
• In a large bowl combine the banana and macadamia paste, honey, vanilla and drops if using. Mix together well.
• Now add in the coconut, macadamia meal and dried fruit, combine it all together really well.
• Using your hands, (yes I am a really hands on, old fashioned feel and experience the food type of cook ;) make sure it is all well combined and then take small amounts and roll between your hands into balls. If it feels too moist/runny add a little extra nut meal and coconut, it should be sticky but not too runny/gooey. If it is too dry, add some more mac paste or mashed banana.
• Fill two bowls with the extra coconut and sesame seeds.
• Dip your balls as you make them into either coconut or sesame seeds and place in an air tight container, continue until all the mixture is gone.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Serve.
• Keep in the fridge - see notes for variations.

Blonde Bliss Balls

Toddler/Kindy/Prep Tips

• These are fantastic for toddlers - I make mine some small ones and they are a great go to snack that tastes sweet.
• For NUT FREE schools/kindy's in place of nut butter use a sunflower seed paste. You can make your own by roasting sunflower seeds and then blitzing in a food processor or thermomix or look out for one in your health food store and supermarkets, esp a roasted one as they have much better flavour and swap the nut meal for a *very small* amount of coconut flour, like 1/2 a tablespoon. Coconut flour absorbs 20 times it's weight in moisture so a little goes a long way!

Notes

• To make the blonde bliss pictured above - simply omit the cacao and choc stevia drops and add some vanilla.
• The mix may need a slight tweak depending on how big your bananas are.
• Add some MACA powder. Maca root powder is an amazing superfood high in Iodine and even said to help regulate hormones which is said to help with fertility, menstrual cycle and even sex drive in adults and many other health benefits. safely consumed by adults and children alike and livestock in many places, readily available from health food shops.
• Add some organic protein powder like Nuraorganics thriving vanilla if you want to.
• Dip in runny coconut chocolate and allow to set so your bliss balls are choccy covered goodness!
• Try variations like blonde vanilla and goji berry, choc fruit and nut (add some nice crushed nuts), apricot and walnut, pistachio vanilla with goji berries. Have fun with it!

Bek xx

Local Food Love at the Real Food Festival

I am such a fan of real food and wholesome ingredients so I am constantly amazed at the quality food producers out there. One of my favourite food festivals, (and it is where I live) is the Real Food Festival held in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia.

It is a 2 day event jam packed with food stalls, food producers, talks and demonstrations and did I mention lots of gorgeous food?

Here is the girls having a bal at the RFF 2012 at the Maleny IGA stall

Come and watch me cook :)

We had a ball last year and the girls, grandma and I spent many hours in foodie heaven.
This year I am delighted to announce that I will be a cooking presenter on the Sunday, 8th September at 12.30 pm, my demonstration is Local Food Love I can tell you that in my demonstration I will be making macadamia bliss balls (SO YUM) with ingredients sponsored by Nutworks
You will be able to find me in the Food Craft Tent cooking and afterwards at the Rosetta Bookstore tent doing a book signing.

If your at the festival make sure you
come to the cooking demo or the book signing and say HI!

You can find out more about the festival, getting tickets, where to stay if you are from out of town and lots more at the website here: www.realfoodfestival.com.au/2013-program and LIKE their facebook Page HERE you can also follow the details for my cooking demo via my facebook page too HERE

I will be checking out many of the food stalls (YUM can't wait!) and things happening while I am there too and will blog about my day after the event - so will have lots to share.

Happy Cooking!

Bek XX

 

Nuts about Nutworks & Macadamia IceCream

I have always been a big fan of nuts. 

How could I not? They are delicious, healthy, nutritious, have a million cooking possibilities and (mostly) grow on trees too and I love trees.

Of course botanically not all nuts that we call nuts are actually nuts, in fact many seeds and kernels are referred to in cooking as "nuts" that are not technically "nuts". But that is another post altogether...

Where I live on the gorgeous Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia we have so many fantastic food producers and one of my favourites is NUTWORKS

They are a really exciting local producer AND a great foodie destination on the Sunny Coast.

You can also LIKE them on FACEBOOK here

Not only do they make all these gorgeous products and have a range that is almost beyond belief, you can actually take the children and watch them making chocolates and processing nuts in their factory as they do it. I am such a big fan of showing kids where food comes from, how it is made and processed so Nutworks really impressed me, and my kids! My oldest of whom by the way is a HUGE macadamia fan. In fact every Christmas she asks on her wishlist for her own big giant bag of macadamias!
So you just imagine her excitement visiting the factory!

 Lily loved watching them processing nuts

And reading and learning

 It didn't take her long to find her favourite chocolate covered macadamias!

 And taste testings

They even recently had a community family fun day! Complete with Fun and Funky Sand Art another really great local Sunshine Coast business and a petting zoo.

This below is the beautiful, nothing added, real macadamia paste that you will find in lots of my RECIPES
(You can get this in store, both sizes at the Maleny IGA too - they deliver right across the Sunshine Coast now with their online shopping as well)

Here I have used it to make 

Macadamia Icecream
You can collect this free recipe card in store along with all the ingredients to make it at the Maleny IGA

Macadamia Chocolate Ice Cream

Your family will be impressed when you serve up this delicious home-made ice cream. The macadamia flavours just melt in your mouth and it is made with the beautiful, rich Maleny Dairies cream and Moorish Nutworks macadamia paste.

Ingredients

·         1 cup Nutworks Macadamia paste

·         1 x 600 ml Maleny Dairies cream

·         ½ cup unsalted macadamia nuts

·         ½ teaspoon pure vanilla paste

·         1 tin condensed milk (if you have a thermomix check out Quirky Cooking's homemade alternative HERE)

·         200g milk (or dark) chocolate

·         Air tight freezer-safe container

Method

·         Using an electric mixer whip the cream in a deep bowl until soft peaks form.

·         Melt the milk chocolate in a bowl on top of a saucepan of hot water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl with the chocolate in it, do not leave unattended, stirring constantly. When chocolate is melted, remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly.

·         Mix the chocolate into the condensed milk, add vanilla.

·         Fold the chocolate mixture and macadamia nuts gently through the cream mixture.

·         Pour into a flat freezer-proof container, smooth evenly down and seal with an air tight lid.

·         Freeze overnight.

·         To serve, remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes or until it has softened slightly.

·         Serve as you would normal ice cream.

Notes

·         Use dark chocolate instead of milk for a richer flavour, look out for organic chocolate if you can.

·         The Nutworks macadamia paste is just divine and really adds texture and flavour to this ice cream.

·         You could optionally add chocolate covered sultanas or blueberries to the ice cream mixture when you add the macadamia nuts to make it really decedent.

·         In winter serve this ice cream with a hot dessert like pie or pudding.

Toddler Tips

·         Freeze into icypoles by pouring the mixture into popsicle moulds.
If you don’t have popsicle moulds you could do it with chop sticks and plastic cups. I would advice sealing the top with something like cling wrap and you will need to freeze for around 30 minutes before removing and adding the stick or until mixture can hold the popsicle stick in place and then  returning to the freezer overnight.

Edible Sunshine Coast - Caloundra

Eating local is...
Exciting, fresh, supportive and makes you feel good too.

The Sunshine Coast where I live, is home to some very talented local producers indeed.
We have locally made products like milk, yoghurt, the best cream I have ever tried, cheese, olives and olive products, preserves, chocolate, nuts and nut products, nut pastes, tempeh, salad dressings that are to die for, olive oils, avocado oil, flavoured oils, beautiful breads, buffalo haloumi cheese, cordials, ginger and ginger products, coffees, teas, seafood, African spice and sauce blends, spices, chick pea and broad beans "chips", jams, preserves, gluten free products, pastas, gorgeous fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful chopping boards and even natural dishwashing liquid just to name some of them!

Almost a year ago I teamed up with a very exciting and innovative supermarket, Maleny IGA to use these amazing local products and create unique recipes around them that they published on recipes cards for their customers and were also introduced through fun taste testing events in store each month which were all received with great success!

I have been delighted to further promote these recipes, what the Maleny IGA does and the EAT LOCAL movement through the Sunshine Coast Libraries and a series of Edible Sunshine Coast events where the audience hears all about local products, why it is so fantastic to eat local, how it has a ripple benefitial effect through the whole community and supports local families and jobs and all about the extensive range carried by the Maleny IGA as one of the region's greatest supporters of local businesses.
 The audience also gets to taste test some goodies and 2 of the recipes!
Like the Custard Apple Coconut Crumble served with gorgeous Maleny Dairies cream and custard brought to each demonstration by the lovely Meg! Who is a fountain of knowledge on dairy and a huge favourite with the audience!

Meg

The Custard Apple Coconut Crumble

It was wonderful seeing the audience enjoy the food
Aamongst them was the lovely Karen from Wholistic Evolution

and the Sunshine Coast's own inspirational Yummy Mummies!

 And to end on a really high note we had some lucky (and very happy) winners of some fantastic prizes like gorgeous Maleny Dairies products, a beautiful locally made Fab Slabs chopping board and the sensational Pomodora's dressings

It was a wonderful morning full of the buzz for local food,

Thanks you so much to everyone that came and to the Caloundra Library for hosting us!
At the date of posting this one there are just 2 Edible Sunshine Coast events left! Nambour and Noosa, unfortunately Noosa is fully booked out but you can leave your name in case of cancellation and still get one of the last spots at the Nambour HERE

EAT LOCAL

Rebecca x
A big thank you to: