Kids need more calcium as they get older to support their growing bones* and milk is one of the best and most widely available sources of calcium**. However, if your child is a picky eater who doesn’t love a glass of milk, it can be tough to ensure they are getting all the calcium they need.
Whilst there are many foods that are great sources of calcium – sardines and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale – neither sound particularly tempting, especially if you are already struggling to cater for your child’s picky palette.
Paul Mindry, SPAR Brand Group House Brand Manager, comes to the rescue with 3 easy, fast recipes that your children will love:
Milkshake Melody
Milkshakes appeal to all ages. Try a different flavour each time, for a calcium-infused dessert the whole family can enjoy on a warm summer’s day.
Prep Time: 10 mins | Servings: 4
Recipe Ingredients:
- 500ml SPAR Classic Vanilla flavoured ice cream
Recipe Method:
- Combine both ingredients in a food blender or processor, or use a suitable jug and a stick hand-held blender if this suits you better.
- Whizz until foamy, creamy and thick. Beat in the flavouring ingredients of choice thoroughly. Pour into tumblers and serve immediately.
Delicious flavour-combos:
- 1 well mashed banana
- 125 ml SPAR vanilla custard and 50 ml Squillos strawberry flavoured milk powder
- If you want more of a Fruit Whip type drink, introduce fresh chopped fruits that puree easily (berries, paw-paw, mango)
Homemade Custard
Good, wholesome creaminess that can be whipped up with the kids’ help.
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cooking Time: 15 mins | Servings: 8
Recipe Ingredients:
- 200ml double cream
- 700ml SPAR UHT full cream milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 3 tbsp cornflour
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Recipe Method:
- Put the cream and milk into a large pan and gently bring to just below boiling point.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the yolks, cornflour, sugar and vanilla.
- Gradually pour the hot milk mixture onto the sugar mixture, whisking constantly.
- Wipe out the saucepan and pour the mixture back into it.
- Heat gently, stirring with a wooden spoon until the custard is thickened, but before any lumps form. Eat hot or cold.
Hints & Tips
- For a healthier alternative, you can substitute the caster sugar for honey.
Pro-Nutro Puffs
Besides the health and nutrient benefits of milk, these also offer wholewheat goodness and the supplemented vitamins of breakfast cereal.
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cooking Time: 25 mins | Servings: 8
Recipe Ingredients:
- 480 g SPAR cake flour (4 Cups)
- 20 ml baking powder
- 500 ml ProNutro whole-wheat cereal
- 5 ml salt
- 100 ml SPAR canola oil
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 500 ml SPAR UHT full cream milk
- 250 ml water
Recipe Method
- Preheat oven to 180ºC and grease 2 SPAR Good Living giant muffin pans.
- Measure all the ingredients into a 3 litre SPAR Good Living porcelain mixing bowl.
- Blend together using a wooden spoon. Do not over-mix.
- Spoon mixture into prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes.
Hints & Tips
- Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds before baking if you like
- The apple-bake ProNutro may be substituted for the whole-wheat, but keep in mind it will give a slightly sweeter result
For more recipes go to https://www.spar.co.za/Recipes
Spar UHT milk comes in Full-cream, Low-fat and Fat-free and is available from Spar Retailers, nationwide.