Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the time when millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world celebrate the triumph of good over evil with beautiful rituals such as festive lights, fireworks, sweet delicacies and family gatherings.

Pistachio barfi

Preparation and cooking time
Prep:45 mins
Cook:1 hr
Makes 20 pieces (serves 6)

Ingredients

• 75g shelled pistachio nuts

• 6 green cardamom pods

• 1 litre Jersey full cream milk

• 75g caster sugar

• silver leaf or extra chopped pistachio nuts, to decorate (optional)

Method
STEP 1
Blitz the pistachio nuts in a small food processor until finely chopped. Take care not to overwork them or they will become oily. Set aside.

STEP 2
Split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Pound the seeds to a powder in a pestle and mortar with 1 tsp of sugar.

STEP 3
Heat the milk in a large wok or karahi over medium heat and boil, stirring all the time with a metal spoon, until it reduces to a thick cream – you want the milk to reduce rapidly so it retains its creamy colour without browning, about 20-30 mins. Keep scraping down the sides of the pan to prevent scorching. The milk should have left the sides of the pan and have the consistency of scrambled eggs.

STEP 4
Spoon this thick paste into a bowl and leave to cool before chilling for 2-3 hrs. You should now have 225-250g of reduced milk solids, known as ‘khoya’.

STEP 5
Coarsely grate the khoya on a box grater and put it in a sturdy casserole or wok. Add the cardamom powder and remaining caster sugar and cook over a gentle heat, stirring all the time, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened about 10 mins.

STEP 6
Take the pan off the heat, add the chopped nuts and mix well. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and transfer the warm barfi mixture onto the paper, patting it out to a rectangle. Cover with another sheet of parchment, and gently roll the barfi into a 16 x 19cm rectangle about ½cm thick with a rolling pin. Leave to set for 3-4 hrs. If your kitchen is very warm, put the tray in the fridge for 30 mins.

STEP 7
Remove the top sheet of paper. Rest a sheet of the silver leaf, if using, on the barfi, silver side facing downwards. Gently rub the back of the paper with your fingers, the silver leaf should transfer onto the mixture – try not to touch the silver leaf with your fingers as it will stick to them. Or, press chopped pistachios onto the mixture while still warm, if you like.

STEP 8
Cut the firm barfi into 3 x 4cm diamond shapes. Will keep at room temperature in an airtight box for 3-4 days.
Resource: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pistachio-barfi

Ingredients

• 225g ground almonds

• 200g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

• 3 medium free-range egg whites (Two Chicks Free Range Egg White is available in most supermarkets; see tip)

• 15 whole blanched almonds split in half lengthways

Method

•        In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground almonds and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on a slow speed until just frothy – it doesn’t matter if there’s still a bit of unbeaten egg white at the bottom.

•        Add the egg whites to the almonds and sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing after each spoonful. Keep going until the mixture is soft but not runny; you may not need to use all the egg white.

•     Roll the mix into walnut-size balls and space them a few centimetres apart on the baking trays. Press a blanched almond half into the top of each one, flattening them slightly. Sprinkle a little caster sugar over the top of each, then leave them to sit for 10-15 minutes. Heat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5.

•          Bake for 15-20 minutes until pale golden brown. The macaroons should still feel soft to the touch but they’ll continue to harden as they cool. Leave on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Serve with a cuppa.

Resource:  https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/almond-macaroons/

Cuisine: SALAD
Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 6-8 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS
½ small head green cabbage, shredded
½ small head red cabbage, shredded
4 large carrots, peeled and julienned
1 bunch green onions, chopped
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
⅓ cup natural peanut butter
¼ cup rice vinegar
5 tbsp. soy sauce
3 garlic cloves
1-2 tbsp. chili paste
1 tsp. sugar
¾ cup roasted cashews

Method 

• In a large bowl, toss green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, green onion, and cilantro.

• In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, chili paste, and sugar, blend until smooth.

• Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.

• Add cashews and stir to combine.

Resource: https://fortheloveofgourmet.com/spicy-cashew-crunch-salad/

Prep:45 mins

Cook:5 mins

Serves 6

Ingredients

100g shelled pistachio

150ml milk

100g golden caster sugar

300ml double cream

300ml ready-made custard

½ tsp almond extract

Method

STEP 1. Reserve a quarter of the pistachios and finely grind the remainder in a food processor. Tip into a pan with the milk and sugar, and bring gently to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat, leave to cool, then chill.

STEP 2. Finely chop the reserved pistachios. Whip the cream to soft peaks. Fold in the custard, almond extract and then the nut milk until evenly mixed. Churn in an ice cream machine or put the bowl in the freezer until the mixture is set 5cm in from the edges. Remove and whisk to break down the large ice crystals. Freeze and whisk again, then transfer to a rigid container and scatter with the chopped pistachios. Freeze completely until firm.

STEP 3. Half an hour before serving, transfer the ice cream to the fridge to soften.

Resource : www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pistachio-ice-cream-1

Walnuts are high in antioxidants that can help fight oxidative damage in your body. Moreover, they are an excellent source of omega-3 fat, which may help reduce heart disease risk.

Walnuts may help decrease inflammation; inflammation is at the root of many diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes.

Eating walnuts are also great for your gut and may help reduce disease risk.

Walnuts may even help protect your brain from damaging inflammation and support good brain function as you age. Walnuts look like brains don’t they?!

Walnuts can be used in all kind of sweets and savoury dishes to add texture and crunch to dishes. There are some ways to get more walnuts into the diet:

• Top yogurt with chopped walnuts and fruit

• Top salads with chopped walnuts

• Include in your baking

Recipe : Date Walnut Cake

Ingredients 

·        900g (2 lb) dates, pitted and chopped

·        900g (2 lb) walnuts, coarsely chopped

·        200g (7 oz) caster sugar

·        1 tablespoon baking powder

·        150g (5 oz) plain flour

·        4 egg yolks

·        4 egg whites

 Method
Prep: 30min  ›  Cook: 1hr 30min  ›  Ready in: 2hr 

1.      Preheat the oven to 150 C / Gas mark 2. Grease and flour a 25 cm (10 in) tube cake tin.

2.      In a large bowl, combine dates, walnuts, sugar, baking powder and flour. Stir in egg yolks. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the whites into the fruit/nut mixture until no streaks remain. Spoon into prepared tin.

3.      Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes. Let cool in tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely

 Resource: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-walnuts

http://allrecipes.co.uk/

It’s time to enjoy that long awaited beer - but why do we reach for nuts and nibbles? This got us thinking about formulating the ideal snack recipe by combining taste and science, to complement the nation’s favourite beverage.

Heart health

Did you know that nuts boost good cholesterol, HDL, and lower bad cholesterol, LDL?  Combined with the blood thinning properties of alcohol, this combo of beer and nuts can help with your heart health!

Swedish researchers have also found that the fat and fibre in nuts slow down the absorption of alcohol, helping you out if you have had one too many!

Taste

Hops are added to beer which can be quite bitter.  Salt in nuts helps to balance out the bitter taste of hops.  The tannins in beer can also create a dry mouth and the natural fats in nuts help to lubricate the mouth so that you enjoy your beer.

Ginni’s Beer Nuts

So there you go, some science to back up the popular pairing of nuts and beer. 

At Ginni’s we have launched  2 beer nut products:

Ginni’s is the first to offer a top secret recipe of a spicy assortment of peanuts, toasted corn, cashews and rice crackers seasoned perfectly to pair with your beer.  So that means, spicy, salty, sweet, tangy, crunchy and nutty all in one amazing snack! 

We also offer the traditional roasted and salted beer nuts.  Perfectly roasted and salted peanuts with skins for that traditional satisfying flavour.

A combination of these tastes is also said to help boost digestion making them so incredibly more’ish. 

You can also subscribe monthly to our “Beer Time” box which has these delicious beer nuts, pork scratchings, pork crunch and biltong - happy snacking!

Simply too tasty to put down!

For those looking to lose weight, snacking is often seen as something to avoid – unnecessary extra food that goes straight to our bellies. However, the right kind of snack can work as an effective energy boost and pick-me-up that’ll stop us from binging when mealtime finally comes around.

Ginni’s are a UK-based company who specialise in delivering a wide range of high-quality nuts and seeds, as well as other delicious snacks to the UK. Are you snacking the right way? Read on to find out.

1.     Snacks that are high in protein – protein-rich snacks such as nuts will help you to feel fuller for longer and limit cravings throughout the day. Many studies have associated high protein food with a lessened appetite, caused by decreased levels of ghrelin, the so-called “hunger hormone”. 

2.     Don’t snack after 9pm – at night, your metabolism slows down. Eating this close to bedtime gives your body less opportunity to digest the food that’s in your stomach, meaning you’ll be more likely to gain fat. 

3.     Eliminate distractions – when you’re enjoying your food, you should be doing just that. Watching TV or playing on your phone at the same time can actually cause you to eat significantly more food than you need since you’re not actively listening to your body or savouring your meal. 

4.     Cut back on sugary drinks – Nutritionists advise that you should eat, rather than drink, the majority of your calories. This is because food contains fats and fibre that are essential to keeping hunger pangs at bay. 

5.     Clean out your junk food – replacing unhealthy junk food with more nutritious alternatives will remove temptation and help you to create better habits. Throw out your biscuits for yummy alternatives like fruits, nuts and popcorn for better grazing. 

Protein is a wonder-substance when it comes to snacks. Why? It’s nutritious and keeps you feeling fuller for longer, but also promotes muscle-building and features in many of your body’s primary functions. 

Whether you’re fuelling up before an intense gym session or taking a midday boost to get through the afternoon lull, high-protein snacks are a tasty way to fill yourself up and give you some slow-release energy. They’re also a healthier alternative to sugary or carb-heavy options.

Ginni’s are a UK-based company who specialise in delivering a wide range of high-quality nuts and seeds, as well as other delicious snacks. Below, we’re sharing 3 of their favourite tasty, protein-rich snacks.

1.     Nuts and seeds – Nuts and seeds are king when it comes to protein. These filling little foods can keep your energy high throughout the day and help to kill those hunger pangs and energy dips. Easy to put in your pocket or packed lunch and incredibly versatile as an ingredient, nuts and seeds can be eaten alone or as part of a larger treat.

2.     Dried fruits – Fruits such as apricots, oranges and peaches aren’t just delicious, they’re also incredibly high in protein. Drying the fruit out condenses all that nutritious goodness into a smaller package that can be snacked on throughout the day to give a hit of energy that supercharges your metabolism.

3.     Popcorn – This one might surprise you, but popcorn is actually a very nutritious snack – one that includes a decent dose of your daily recommended protein intake! Of course, it all depends on the way it’s prepared, but popcorn includes potassium, various vitamins, iron, magnesium and other minerals. It’s also one of the world’s best sources of fibre!

NOW INTRODUCING GINNI’S IN A BOX - A REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO SNACK: We’re amping up the value with our hot new Ginni’s In A Box home delivery subscription service. With different varieties of boxes available, including nuts, wellness, sweets, beer time, party time, and more, it really is the best way to enjoy 10+ FULL SIZED packets direct to your door. With a savings of over 20% compared to buying separately - it’s a no brainer! If you’d prefer to try it before you fully commit, boxes are available for one-off purchases too. Learn more and place your order here!

Check out our online shop for even more snack ideas and to order your protein-fix!

Nuts are tasty, convenient and one of the healthiest natural foods out there. Although high in fat, nuts have an impressive number of benefits for overall wellbeing.

Today, we’re sharing some of the biggest benefits of eating nuts! 

1.     A great amount of nutrients – Some nuts are higher in certain nutrients than others, but a good mixture can provide vitamin E, selenium, magnesium and much more, not to mention the fact that they’re loaded with source anti-oxidants, helping to protect against problems such as cell damage and stress. 

2.     They can aid weight loss – Several studies suggest that those who incorporate eating nuts into their diets lose significantly more weight than those who don’t. This is because nuts are filling, are great at replacing more sugary snacks and their complex composition means your body doesn’t absorb all the fat they contain. 

3.     May lower cholesterol – Nuts have impressive cholesterol-lowering abilities thanks to their high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

4.     Reduce inflammation – Chronic, long-term inflammation can cause numerous health risks, but research suggests that nuts may reduce inflammation, especially in those with diabetes, kidney disease and other long-term conditions.

5.     High in fibre – The right kind of fibre has a wide range of beneficial applications in your body. Nuts, especially almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts, are particularly high in fibre, meaning better gut health, reduced risk of disease and a decrease in calorie absorption.

If you’re ready to indulge in this amazing snack, we’ve got just the thing for you! Visit our shop page to get your order started from our selection of Almonds, Cashews, Beer Nuts, Spicy Nuts & more!

1. The promoter is: Ginni Enterprises Ltd (company no. 02626470) whose registered office
is at 4 Gladstone Road, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 5BB

2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 16 years or over
except employees of Ginni Enterprises Ltd and their close relatives and anyone
otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.

3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.

4. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via our Facebook
Page and Instagram platform. 

5. Only one entry will be accepted per person per social media platform. Multiple entries
from the same person on the same social platform will be disqualified. You may enter
on both Facebook and Instagram, but only once per channel. 

6. Closing date for entry will be December 15th 2017. After this date the no further entries to
the competition will be permitted.

7. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.

8. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows: To enter on Facebook,
you need to like our Facebook page and comment on the competition post, tagging a
friend (another user) in the comment section who you'd also like to win a prize - this
enters you both for the prize.

10. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and
conditions without notice. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon
as possible by the promoter.

11. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any
third party connected with this competition.

12. The prize is as follows:
A choice of two selection trays for both you and a friend. The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are
not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any
prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice. Please note that all products are
packed in an environment that handles peanuts, sesame seeds and other nuts and may contain
traces of gluten. NOT SUITABLE FOR NUT ALLERGY SUFFERERS.

13. Winners will be chosen at random. 

14. The winner will be notified by email / DM on Facebook within 28
days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 10
days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a
replacement winner.

15. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected / is
delivered.

16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final
and no correspondence will be entered into.

17. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to accept and be
bound by these terms and conditions.

18. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any
disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

19. If you are the winner of the competition, you agree that the Promoter may use your name,
image and town or county of residence to announce the winner of this competition and for any
other reasonable and related promotional purposes. You further agree to participate in any
reasonable publicity required by the Promoter. By entering the competition, you agree that
any personal information provided by you with the competition entry may be held and used

only by the Promoter or its agents and suppliers to administer the competition entrants will be
used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed
to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

20. The winner’s name will be available 28 days after closing date by emailing the following
address: 

info@ginnis.co.uk

21. Insofar as is permitted by law, the Promoter, its agents or distributors will not in any
circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any liability for any
loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where
it is caused by the negligence of the Promoter, its agents or distributors or that of their
employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.

22. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with,
Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Ginni
Enterprises Ltd and not to any other party.