In this article, you’ll discover the wonderful world of cooking with Ensure Plus, a nutritious beverage that can be used as a versatile ingredient in a wide range of delicious recipes. Whether you’re looking to boost the nutritional value of your meals or simply add a creamy touch to your favorite dishes, Ensure Plus has got you covered. From smoothies and soups to baked goods and casseroles, this article will show you how to get creative in the kitchen and make the most out of this fantastic product. So grab your apron, prepare your taste buds, and let’s embark on a culinary journey with Cooking With Ensure Plus!
What is Ensure Plus?
Overview of Ensure Plus
Ensure Plus is a nutritionally complete drink that is specifically designed to help meet the nutritional needs of individuals who require additional calories and nutrients in their diet. It is often recommended for those who are experiencing involuntary weight loss, malnutrition, or are recovering from an illness or surgery.
Made by Abbott Nutrition, Ensure Plus is a popular choice for people who need to supplement their daily caloric intake. Each 8-fluid ounce serving of Ensure Plus provides 350 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 26 essential vitamins and minerals, making it a convenient and practical way to ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs.
Nutritional benefits of Ensure Plus
Ensure Plus is not only packed with calories and protein, but it also contains a variety of essential nutrients that are important for overall health and well-being. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
The high protein content in Ensure Plus helps support muscle health and repair, which is especially important for individuals who may be recovering from surgery or have difficulty eating solid foods. Additionally, Ensure Plus provides a balanced blend of carbohydrates and fats, which fuel the body and provide sustained energy.
Different flavors of Ensure Plus
Ensure Plus comes in a wide range of delicious flavors to suit every palate. Whether you prefer the classic Vanilla or Chocolate, or enjoy a change of pace with flavors like Strawberry, Butter Pecan, or Coffee, Ensure Plus has something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
The availability of different flavors allows for versatility in recipes, making it easier to incorporate Ensure Plus into your cooking. With such a diverse range of flavors, you can experiment with various combinations and create unique dishes that are both nutritious and tasty.
Cooking with Ensure Plus
Using Ensure Plus as a base ingredient
Ensure Plus can be used as a versatile base ingredient in a variety of recipes, adding both flavor and nutrition to your dishes. It can be used as a substitute for milk or water in recipes, such as smoothies, pancakes, soups, and even protein bars. The creamy texture of Ensure Plus makes it an excellent choice when you want to add richness to your recipes.
Incorporating Ensure Plus into recipes
One of the easiest ways to incorporate Ensure Plus into your recipes is by using it as a liquid base in smoothies. Blend together fruits, vegetables, and Ensure Plus to create a nutrient-packed and delicious drink. You can also use Ensure Plus as a replacement for milk or water when making pancake batter or creamy soups, enhancing the flavor and providing additional nutrients.
For those looking to boost their protein intake, Ensure Plus can be added to protein bar recipes. By replacing some of the other liquids in the recipe, you can create protein bars that not only taste great but also provide an extra protein punch.
Ensuring proper food safety while cooking with Ensure Plus
As with any ingredient, it is important to ensure proper food safety when cooking with Ensure Plus. Ensure Plus should be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions and used before the expiration date. When incorporating Ensure Plus into recipes, make sure to handle it with clean hands and avoid cross-contamination with other ingredients.
Ensure Plus should be added to recipes that require cooking or heating as per the instructions. Avoid leaving cooked dishes with Ensure Plus at room temperature for extended periods of time, as this can promote bacterial growth. Always follow proper food safety guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of your meals.
Recipes Using Ensure Plus
Ensure Plus Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup Ensure Plus (any flavor)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the frozen mixed berries, ripe banana, and Ensure Plus.
- If desired, add honey for additional sweetness.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- If preferred, add ice cubes and blend again until desired thickness is achieved.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy this nutritious and refreshing smoothie.
Ensure Plus Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Ensure Plus (any flavor)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Butter or oil for greasing the pan
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, Ensure Plus, and vegetable oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Heat a greased pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Scoop 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the heated pan and spread it out slightly.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve the pancakes with your favorite toppings, such as fruit, syrup, or whipped cream.
Ensure Plus Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup Ensure Plus (any flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the diced carrots and celery, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the Ensure Plus and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Using an immersion blender or traditional blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve hot.
Ensure Plus Protein Bars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup Ensure Plus (any flavor)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, almond butter or peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add the Ensure Plus and mix until the mixture is evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into a lined baking dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
- Once set, cut into individual bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips and Tricks for Cooking with Ensure Plus
Experimentation with flavors and textures
One of the joys of cooking with Ensure Plus is the ability to experiment with different flavors and textures. While the classic Vanilla is always a safe choice, don’t be afraid to try more adventurous flavors like Butter Pecan or Coffee.
Additionally, consider incorporating different textures into your recipes. For example, if you want a smooth and creamy texture, opt for Ensure Plus in a liquid form. However, if you prefer a more textured dish, try using Ensure Plus in a powdered or shake form.
Adjusting the consistency of recipes
Ensure Plus can be a great tool for adjusting the consistency of your recipes. If you want a thinner consistency, simply add more liquid Ensure Plus. Conversely, if you prefer a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of liquid or add extra ingredients like oats or almond flour.
Remember to adjust the amount of Ensure Plus based on the volume of liquid you are substituting. This will help maintain the proper balance of flavors and textures in your recipes.
Substituting Ensure Plus in traditional recipes
One of the great things about Ensure Plus is its versatility. It can be used as a substitute for milk or water in traditional recipes, adding an extra nutritional boost. For example, you can use Ensure Plus in place of milk when making oatmeal, mashed potatoes, or creamy pasta sauces.
By substituting Ensure Plus, you are not only enhancing the flavor and nutritional value of your dishes but also ensuring that you are meeting your individual dietary needs.
Conclusion
Ensure Plus offers a convenient and nutritious option for individuals looking to supplement their daily caloric and nutrient intake. With its wide range of flavors and versatility in cooking, Ensure Plus can be incorporated into a variety of recipes to enhance both taste and nutrition. Whether it’s a delicious smoothie, fluffy pancakes, a comforting soup, or homemade protein bars, Ensure Plus provides a wealth of possibilities for cooking and enjoying nutritious meals. So go ahead, grab your favorite flavor of Ensure Plus and start exploring the world of cooking with this handy nutrition supplement.
Leave a Reply