Natrel recently launched  a line of Lactose Free butter and an Organic butter too. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I received the press release which announced this news.

This is the first lactose free butter on the market*

There are only two ingredients in this butter: Lactose Free Cream and Sea Salt.

Other info you should know: at the moment it’s only available in a 250 gram package and I only saw “salted butter” on the shelves. The organic butter is only available in Ontario + Quebec, and the lactose free in Ontario, Quebec + the Atlantic provinces.

As someone who is lactose free, I can’t wait to bake some of my favourite recipes with this product without having to take a lactose free pill. I’m beyond excited.

I’m also excited to let you know about Natrel’s The Greatest Dessert Exchange which is currently underway! It’s a pretty cool ideal. Basically the concept is to Spread Joy this holiday season beginning with delicious Natrel products. Add a little love and the best ingredients to make your favourite dessert, and then offer it to someone you care about. Invite them to continue the dessert chain by doing the same for someone.

Feel free to visit Natrel’s Facebook page and share the official Natrel Greatest Dessert Exchange post. For each share, Natrel will donate 25¢ to Breakfast Club of Canada.

Here’s recap:

1. Make a Natrel dessert 
2. Offer it to a loved one
3.  Invite them to do the same

Here’s a recipe for a Big, Soft Ginger Cookie thats perfect for this time of year. Of course I used Natrel lactose free butter for the recipe. The best part was that I could actually lick the beaters without having to take a lactose pill. Yes Im a 51 year old adult!!

Big, Soft Ginger Cookie (original recipe from www.tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Natrel lactose free butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger…be generous!
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon…be generous!
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves…be generous!!
1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar in a small bowl

Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls, then roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. (they expanded more than I thought so don’ t overcrowd your sheet). Bake at 350° until puffy and lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Note: My first batch wasn’t as flavourful as I wanted them to be so I added more spice for the second batch and was MUCH happier.

I will definitely be offering these cookies to loved ones and participating in the #NatrelDessertExchange and I hope you will be participating too.

FINAL PRODUCT:

*Source: The first lactose free butter made with sea salt and lactose free cream available on the Canadian market )

Happy Baking!

For more information:

Website: www.natrel.ca

Twitter/Instagram: @NatrelMilk

Hashtag #NatrelDessertExchange

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natrel/

To learn more about the Greatest Exchange, please click here.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own

I must have a super power for sourcing new products. Recently I attended the The Restaurants Canada Show  and   I consistently found new products with no effort at all.  Note:  I have a feeling this has something to do with the fact that I was once a food sales rep.

So here’s what I found at the show which featured over 1,000 exhibitors. Yes – I was there for HOURS. I shmoozed, sampled, and walked up and down aisles from noon to 4 pm. I can tell you one thing:  I did not need to eat lunch or dinner!!

1. NUBA…this is a naturally handcrafted hibiscus brewed tea. I think this beverage would be amazing in a cocktail  (Hey CocktailDeeva are you reading this?)

2. Natrel is launching a line of butter. What took them so long? This will be the only dairy cooperative to offer a butter with salt. Look out for it on shelves starting in May 2015.

3. M & M’s has introducted a chocolate bar. How sweet!

4. Primo has started to make Tomato Juice as well. I love how there’s a Canadian Flag on the packaging!

5. This stunning line of mustards, distributed by the Hungry Artisan. I’m a sucker for great packaging and mustards. In fact I once wrote a blog post called “how many mustards are in your fridge?”. LOL

6. Station Cold Brew Coffee Co: This is a smooth, fresh and easy way to customize, cold brewed coffee without compromising quality or flavour. Adore that this is a local company!

7. Ninettes …this delicious ice cream is low in carbs (yay) and so flavourful. On a side note: they were featured on Dragons Den!

 

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

While visiting Grocery Innovations a few weeks ago, a dark chocolate milk by Natrel, caught my eye. I mean – how genius is this? EVERYONE seems to love chocolate and there is no question that dark chocolate has been popular over the last few years. Subsequently I found out, that this product was voted at the show, as one of the 10 most innovating products for 2012. Well – they have my vote too!! Natrel – you rock!!

I coudn’t wait for this to hit the grocery shelves and indeed I saw it this week, while visiting the IGA in the Beach! (oh how I love my job). Naturally I bought a litre and then bought the Sealtest regular chocolate milk to do a quick comparison. As you know, I’m always up for a taste test!!

Here’s my findings; (sorry, the panel only consisted of me)

Sealtest 1% milk chocolate: lighter on the palate, watery, and the color almost looks like silly putty

Natrel Dark Chocolate: thick, rich, sweet and it looks like dark chocolate!!

I don’t know who thought of this dark chocolate idea – but I really do think its clever. Don’t you?

What I’m not fond of is the packaging. They added a 5th side and it just feels weird when you pick it up. Plus I’m not crazy about the fact that that it’s got a shelf date till JAN 2012. Milk should have a shorter life span unless its in a tetra box. It’s just weird to know that I bought it on Nov 8 2011 and its good till January 2012.

Sadly I’m lactose intolerant (I whine about this a lot) so I wont be enjoying this milk as much as I would like. However I’m eager to use it in a chocolate pudding recipe next week!! I’ve already told my guests that I’m making chocolate pudding and I’m sure this dark chocolate milk will make the dessert even better!!

It really is a winner and I’m sure that this product will be flying off the shelf. I just wonder why nobody thought of this earlier?