It’s always exciting when you make something that knocks your children’ socks off and this week I whipped up something that was a win all around! This fruity “fool” has been in their lunch box all week and they just keep asking for more. The best part is that it’s so easy. Although if you go with the whipped version, do secure the lid of your blender properly. I had a bright pink berry explosion which the children thought was hilarious. I haven’t had so much purée on the ceiling since Belle learned how to use a spoon — and propel it across the kitchen.

In culinary terms, a “fool” is typically a fruit compote mixed with sugar and cream. My girls are dairy “sensitive” so I have tried lots of dairy-free yoghurts but haven’t yet found anything shop-bought that I love using on a regular basis. Making a dairy free fool was much easier than attempting yoghurt (no fermentation time) and I found it fairly easy to control the sugar too. The coconut milk in this recipe really mellows the acidity of the fruit, so you can ease up on the sugar. I also add liquid calcium which is quite sweet, which again reduces the need for additional sugar.

There are two ways to make this recipe — with “bits” and without. The “bits” version uses Chia seed to pull everything together. As the fruit mix contains berries and as the chia becomes gel-like in the juice, you can explain the bits as “seeds” to suspicious children. The nice thing about including the chia is that it provides a small amount of plant-based calcium and a good dose of protein and fibre. If you or your children prefer a smooth consistency, skip the chia seeds. You still have plenty of good fats in the coconut milk.

However you make it, you can add the calcium too if you like. My favourite brand is the Child Life Essentials liquid formula from Down to Earth and People’s Pharmacy. It contains magnesium, vitamin D3 and zinc — so has all the nutrient cofactors present for optimal calcium absorption. Simply add the recommended dosage of calcium for your child (age-dependent) to the serving you plan to give them and stir it in well. I now know how many containers my batch usually fills so I add it all at once at the end of the cooking process, but you can just as easily stir it through on a portion by portion basis.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is the Managing Director of Natural Ltd and a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a Registered Dietitian. For details, please go to www.natural.bm or call 236-7511. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda