Build Up Drinks & Smoothies

The drinks are quickly made complete meals and can be used at any time of the day. They are easy to eat and easily digested. Once you have tried a recipe you can introduce your own variations.

At times of illness and stress - sweets can be comforting. These delicious desserts / breakfasts use the natural sweetness of fruit which is also an important source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Build Up Drinks and Smoothies are interchangeable when the liquid content is adjusted. All of the recipes are blended recipes. When using almonds they are less bitter if skinned; put them in a pan of hot water and bring to the boil, simmer gently for a few minutes until the nuts can be easily removed from the skins by pressing. Remove from the water and cool briefly before skinning.

BUILD UP BREAKFAST

Blend all or a selection of the following:

Banana, apple, almonds, porridge oats, freshly squeezed orange, dried fruit e.g. unsulphured apricots, sultanas, figs, raisins.

Pinch of ground cardamon, pinch of asafoetida, rose water and honey.

This recipe is quick to make, absolutely delicious and very filling.

Serve with goats / sheep's yoghurt and fresh fruit or eat on its own.

ALMOND CREAM

1 tblsp almonds - ground

4 fl oz soya milk

1 tsp malt extract

1 tblsp hunza apricot kernels

4 fl oz spring water

Blend all together.

BUILD UP DRINK

(Makes approximately 8-10 servings)

10 oz. plain tofu (1 pkt)

2 tblsp cooked brown rice

2 pints (approx.) soya milk

few drops vanilla essence

2 tblsp ground almonds

2 bananas

1 heaped tsp slippery elm powder

Poach tofu in water for 10 minutes.

Blend all ingredients well in a blender.

Push through a sieve and adjust texture and flavour.

Variations: Use different grains e.g. millet, oats. Use different nuts e.g. cashews, brazils. hazels.

Add some fresh fruit or some dried fruit or more banana.

Add carob powder or a little organic honey.

BANANA TOFU WHIP

(Serves four)

1 pkt silken tofu

1 tblsp light carob powder

natural vanilla essence

2 bananas

2oz. dates, chopped

2 tblsp freshly squeezed orange juice (organic)

Soak dates in orange juice for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Blend all ingredients and chill.

Garnish with desiccated coconut, grated carob bar and thin triangles of fresh orange.

APRICOT DELIGHT

5 hunza apricots - soaked and stoned

11/2oz. silken tofu

8 fl oz hunza juice - liquid from soaking

1 tblsp cooked rice or other grain

Blend all together.

SUMMER DRINK

1 tblsp cashew nuts - ground

1 tblsp oatflakes

4 fl oz soya milk

2 oz. soft fruit e.g. strawberries or raspberries.

Blend together.

TOFU FRUIT DRINK

11/2 oz. silken tofu

4 fl oz soya milk

1 tblsp cooked grain e.g. rice, millet, barley

1 ripe banana

juice of 1/2 lemon

Blend all together.

ORANGE CREAM

Juice of 2-3 oranges

a little spring water

11/2 oz tofu

11/2 oz cashew nuts - ground

Blend all together.

The above drinks can be varied in many ways, it's fun to experiment.

All recipes can be thinned to taste with spring water, fruit juice or soya milk; if made thicker they can be used as desserts.

Other ingredients which can be added:

Wheatgerm, brewers yeast, yoghurt, dates (after soaking), natural vanilla essence, tahini, other nuts or seeds, Barley Cup or Yannoh.

CAROB CREAM

16 fl oz soya milk

1 banana

1tblsp almonds or sunflower seeds - ground

2 tblsp carob powder

1 tblsp honey or molasses

Blend all together.

PEAR CREAM

1-2 ripe pears - chopped

4 fl oz spring water

1 tblsp almonds - ground

pinch of ground cinnamon

Blend all together.