California Prunes are the “Official Snackfood” of England Netball and we are excited to announce that nominations for England Netball’s Goalden Globe Awards 2010 are now open. The awards are a chance for netballers to thank the volunteer force who give up their time to support the game and its players.

Each England Netball Region will choose a Regional winner for each of the categories, and these winners will then be put forward as nominees for the National Goalden Globe Awards which take place on 18 September at The Athena in Leicester.

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 31 March, 2010

For further details and nomination forms please visit the England Netball website HERE

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday falls on 16 February this year. Traditionally pancakes are eaten with lemon and sugar but many other sweet and savoury fillings can be used.  If you are looking for inspiration then why not try The California Prune Board recipe for Pancakes with Prune filling.

To make the batter:
125 g plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 small eggs
3 dcl milk
butter or oil for frying

Make a well in the flour in a mixing bowl. Add salt, eggs and half the milk.  Stir until smooth, then add remaining milk and beat until batter is bubbly.  Set aside until filling and sauce have been prepared.  Fry eight pancakes in usual way in a little heated butter or oil.

To make the filling:

100 g California Pitted Prunes, chopped

1 – 2 tbs rum

60 g unsalted butter

1 1/2 dl (100 g) finely chopped walnuts

60 g vanilla sugar (or caster sugar and a few drops of vanilla essence

3 tbs cream

Soak chopped prunes in rum for 15-20 minutes. Soften butter in a small bowl. Stir in walnuts, sugar and cream.  Mix well, and then add rum-steeped prunes.

To make the chocolate sauce:

100 g plain (or cooking) chocolate

3 tbs cold water

2 tsp potato flour

2 dl milk

2 tsp caster sugar

Grated zest of 1 tangerine (or 1 tsp dried bitter orange peel)

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Break up chocolate into small cubes and put into a small saucepan with water.  Melt chocolate over a low heat, stirring from time to time.  Add a little of the milk to potato flour and blend until smooth.  Pour the flour mixture into the chocolate with sugar and rest of milk.  Bring to boil slowly and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Take off heat and stir in cream and cinnamon.

Keep cooked pancakes warm then place a little filling in centre of each.  Roll up pancakes, placing them in a warmed dish.  Heat chocolate sauce carefully.  Pour sauce over pancakes and serve at once.

California Prunes are very proud to be continuing as the official Snackfood for England Netball this year and we are excited about the upcoming International Test Series in February! For further details see the flyer above and download a booking form HERE.