PROVIDING healthy and nutritious food for the aged care community across South East Queensland is something Wesley Mission dining services manager Russel Kearney is passionate about.
Mr Kearney and his team are responsible for producing thousands of nutritious meals and even have a kitchen dedicated to producing gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan meals.
“One of our key focuses on what we do is every mouthful counts,” he said.
“High protein, high fat diet is critical to someone who is in residential aged care, so we try and make sure we get as much nutritional value into a resident’s diet as possible.
“I always put in my mind I’m looking after my grandmother, I want it [the food] to be absolutely the best it can be.”
Mr Kearney and his team have curated three recipes tailored for those aged over 50 that make for the perfect indulgent Easter treat.
They’ve been designed with nutrition and taste in mind.
One of the recipes is a chocolate avocado mousse.
While the combination of avocado and chocolate may seem strange, avocado works perfectly in providing both texture and taste of a truly creamy mousse.
Ingredients:
• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Strawberries or banana
Method: With a food processor or blender, combine all the ingredients together and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can use electric hand beaters to combine the ingredients together.
Divide the mixture across four small bowls.
Serve with added fresh strawberries or banana slices.
HEAD CHEF TIPS
Mr Kearney said avocados provide a variety of key ingredients needed as we get older that include fibre and healthy fats.
They also contain anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds that may help reduce heart disease risk.
More nutritious Easter sweet treat recipes can be found on the Wesley Mission website.
