Recipe of the week: toddler-friendly ‘Nutella’
January 2, 2017
Forget the new diet – and make Nutella instead! This week’s recipe from chef and mum of two Lyndsay from I Eat My Peas is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. She says… “Nutella disappears in the blink of an eye in our household, so I now make this mixed nut version that makes us feel a little better about the speed we consume it! Up until this weekend we have denied Maddie of its deliciousness despite innumerable out cries to have some. As expected – she loves it! If you don’t want to give your little one(s) cocoa then just leave it out – the spread will still be delicious.”
“Many parents are worried about when to introduce nuts to their little ones but if you have no history of allergies in your family or any other indications that your child may have allergies there is no need to be unduly worried; in fact, new research indicates that the earlier you introduce allergens the less likely your child is to develop an allergy. You should not, however, give whole nuts to children under 5 as there is a risk of choking. Instead, introduce them as ground, finely chopped or blitzed down into a nut butter as in my homemade peanut butter or ‘Nutella’ recipes.”
Note: if you are at all worried or have a family history please consult your doctor for the most up to date guidance.
Makes enough to fill one jam jar
70g almonds
30g pecans
30g cashew nuts
30g banana, roughly chopped
30g dates, destoned and roughly chopped
1 tsp coconut oil
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp water
Place the nuts in a food processor and blitz for 5 minutes. Add the banana, dates and oil and continue for a further 10 minutes. Finally, add the cocoa and water and blitz for a finally 5 minutes until you have a smooth spread. Remove and store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for 3-4 days but ours is always gone by the end of the weekend!
