Taste of the Week. Glenilen Farm Yogurts

Taste of the Week

Glenilen Farm Yogurts

The Glenilen Farm yogurts, the current Taste of the Week, have long been a long time favourite here. Creamy, delicious, with a good whack of fruit (18%), absolutely no additives, and a joy to dispatch. 

And the bits that I cannot recover from the jar are expertly extracted by the dog who is obviously an enthusiastic fan as well.

They are widely available and I got a half-dozen at the Mahon Point Farmers Market. They do quite a range of flavours: strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry, a mango & passionfruit, and also a natural.

“Glenilen Farm is an idyllic location for dairy farming. The lush hills of Drimoleague, County Cork offer our cows a rich and plentiful supply of nutritious grass. And they in turn supply us with the rich tasty milk, which has become the core ingredient in all our delicious products.”

Other Glenilen products are: butter, lemonade cordial, clotted cream, crème fraiche, cream cheese and don’t forget their superb large cheesecakes and other desserts! The yogurts I bought were in 140g tubs but they are also available in 500g pots. More info here. 

Taste of the Week

Taste of the Week

Skyr from Iceland

Skyr is the new yogurt like dairy product from Iceland. Except that they don't call it yogurt and, while new to Ireland, it has a history of over a 1,000 years in Iceland.

I’ve been enjoying some samples over the past few days. It has a creamy velvety texture and the flavours are enhanced by the addition of strawberry, blueberry and vanilla. It comes in a 170g pot with a fold-out spoon in the lid so you can enjoy it on the go.

Skyr (pronounced skeer) is billed as Iceland’s secret to healthy living and you may read all about the benefits here. Here too you’ll find the full story and also some recipes.

It is made by a large dairy co-op from skimmed milk and they use “the Original Icelandic Skyr Cultures” and it is widely available in Dunnes Stores outlets up and down the country.

Going Greek With Glenisk!

Going Greek With Glenisk!
No Hardship

Preparing breakfast,
with yogurt, fruit and oat flakes (recipe below).

Ever since coming across thick creamy yogurts in France during summer holidays many moons ago, I have always liked them. So I was very happy to see that Glenisk are now doing them and happier again to get some samples.

And I have indeed been enjoying the new Strained Greek Yogurts. It looks like as if they have benefits for fitness fans and for anyone watching their weight. Check the details here.   

What are Greek yogurts? Well here’s one explanation: It's yogurt with much of the watery whey removed to make it thicker. In other words, Greek yogurt. But you can only call it that if it is properly Greek, as the recent legal battle confirmed. In January the British Court of Appeal ruled that Greek yogurt must be made in Greece; otherwise it's merely "strained". Read more of this UK Telegraph article here.

Glenisk Authentically Strained Greek Style Yogurts come in many flavours and  the new range is surprisingly thick and creamy for a fat free yogurt. A 150g serving contains about 100 calories, so you can enjoy a great taste minus the guilt!

Already I have a few favourites, especially that delicious strawberry. I have also used one to add to oat flakes and fruits overnight for breakfast and another has been used by the official blog cook as an ingredient in her absolutely delicious Banana Bread. (brownie points+++++!)

But what else can you do with them? Well Glenisk have thought of that too and supplied a range of recipes (below). I must try that Smoked Salmon one. Take your pick. Going Greek, or should I say going Greek style, with Glenisk is no hardship.

Pancakes (left) and Smoked Salmon Yogurt Cup

Simple Protein pancakes topped with Greek Yogurt & Fresh Fruit

Ingredients

2 Eggs

1 Banana (ripe)

Method

Mash ripe banana well, add in whisked eggs and mix together.

Warm a non-stick or cast iron pan to medium, add oil and add mixture to pan.

Let the cake set for thirty seconds (or when the centre bubbles) and flip it!

Top with Glenisk Natural 0% Greek Protein Yogurt and fresh berries!

Glenisk Smoked Irish Salmon Yogurt Cup

Ingredients

4 tbsp Glenisk Natural 0% Greek Protein Yogurt

1 tbsp Burren Smokehouse smoked salmon, chopped

5 capers

Sprinkle of chopped fresh dill

Zest of ¼ lemon

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

Start off with the Natural Yogurt as the base of the dish.

Chop the Smoked Salmon sprinkle over the top & add a squeeze of lemon juice

Add the Capers & some fresh Dill

Season with the lemon zest, some salt & black pepper and a glug of olive oil (optional)

Serve with bagel chips

Overnight Oats (1 serving)

Ingredients

35g Steel cut porridge Oats

200g Glenisk Natural 0% Greek Protein Yogurt

Mixed Blueberries, Strawberries & Raspberries

Optional: Chia Seeds, Cacao Nibs, Honey

Method

Layer the porridge, yogurt and fruit in a jar or bowl.

Cover and put in the refrigerator overnight so the porridge absorbs all the yogurt.

In the morning stir so all the layers are mixed together and top with more fruit and anything else you might like to add.

Energy Boosting Smoothie (2 servings)

Ingredients

2 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp peanut butter

1 banana (peeled and chopped)

230g Glenisk Natural 0% Greek Protein Yogurt

Cinnamon to Taste

Method

Pour peanut butter, cocoa powder, Glenisk Organic Yogurt and ice cubes into blender and mix at high speed.

Slice banana, add into mixture, and re-blend.

Pour smoothie into two cups and serve.

Sprinkle dash of cinnamon on top for extra flavour

Sweet Potato Fries with Cool Yogurt Ranch Dip

For the Fries

2 medium/large sweet potatoes

1 tablespoon cornstarch

big sprinkle of cayenne (about 1/8 teaspoon)

big sprinkle of cumin (about 1/8 teaspoon)

2 tablespoons oil

Salt & Pepper to season

For the Dip

150g Glenisk Natural 0% Greek Protein Yogurt

2 tsp White Wine Vinegar

2 Garlic Cloves – minced

2 tbsp finely chopped onion

Salt & Pepper to Season

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 C/ Gas Mark Seven

Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into chip like pieces (keep them relatively the same thickness as this will help them cook evenly)

Soak the fries for 10-15 mins

Place the Cayenne, Cumin & Cornstarch into a bowl and toss the (patted dry) fries in the mix to coat them. Transfer them to a non-stick baking tray and cook for 40 minutes (turning half way through)

While the fries are cooking, make your dip. In a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.

Taste of the Week. Glenisk Greek Style Yogurts

Taste of the Week

Glenisk’s Greek Style Yogurts

Have been enjoying my breakfasts these mornings, mixing a little granola with the gorgeous Greek Style Yoghurts from Glenisk, the Taste of the Week. These creamy tubfuls come in a range of mouth watering flavours and contain beneficial probiotic cultures to promote healthy digestion. And, even better, they are natural organic yogurts. Flavours include Strawberry, Blueberry, Rhubarb, Apple, Gooseberry, and the limited edition Raspberry and Lemon Curd.  Lots of choice then and, if you are stuck for time, they even do tubs of Natural Yoghurt with the granola included. No excuse! Favourites here were the Blueberry and Strawberry but I'm sure you’ll have your own!