give Chia another Chance: Epic Chia Pudding
Remember Chia Pets? I don't, I'm too young ;). I had no idea that Chia Pets were created with one of my favorite super seeds, Chia.
Chia seeds are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that cannot be made by the body. The good stuff inside includes omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. As early as 3,500BC, the Aztecs cultivated chia as a major food source in Mexico & Guatemala.
If you've tried Chia Pudding before and hated it, give this one more try before you give up on this super seed. Dry Chia Seeds store for 4 to 5 years so you have plenty of time to work through that bag.
This is my go-to brunch dish when I don't know what dietary restrictions might show up. Unlike most American breakfast recipes, Chia Pudding is plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, and egg-free. These recipes work for the paleo diet but not keto.
Chia Pudding can be activating and the chocolate version has caffeine in the cacao. Try to eat these for breakfast or lunch so they don't keep you up after dinner.
CHIA PUDDING -- THE FRUITY KIND
Special Equipment
Glass jar with lid or immersion blender or blender
Ingredients
Chia Seeds
Salt
(Optional) Cinnamon and/or Cardamom, ground
any Fruit Juice, options I like
pineapple juice
orange juice
peach juice
any Soft Fruits, cut up into tiny pieces, options I like
banana
papaya
passion fruit
(Optional) Topping, options I like
shredded coconut
fruit slice
berries
bee pollen
Fill your jar or bowl with 7 parts Fruit Juice and 1 part Chia Seeds. (If you're using a big Bell jar, you can use the markings on the sides to measure.) Either shake your jar to mix or immersion blend.
Add Salt & Cinnamon while the mixture is still liquid. Try adding a pinch of each if you're making a small jar or 2 teaspoons of each for an extra-large Bell jar.
Cut up your Soft Fruit(s) into tiny pieces.
Every couple of minutes, shake your jar or immersion blend your mixture. Small jars will start to thicken in about 10 minutes, large jars can take up to 25 minutes to set. If your mixture doesn't thicken after 20 minutes, add more chia seeds and blend to prevent them from sticking together.
Once you've got a pudding-like mixture, fold in your Soft Fruit(s). Taste your mixture. Usually the fruit juice and fruit is all the sweetness you need, but if you'd like more, you can add honey or maple syrup.
Pour pudding into cups/bowls/jars and top with whatever you like. Refrigerate leftovers and eat them for up to 5 days.
CHIA PUDDING -- THE CHOCOLATE KIND
Here's a way to eat chocolate for breakfast and feel great about it :).
Special Equipment
Glass jar with lid or immersion blender or blender
Ingredients
Chia Seeds
Salt
(Optional) Cinnamon or Cardamom or Vanilla Extract or Almond Extract
any Milk, options I like
coconut milk
almond milk
soy milk
Cacao powder
I've been using the Navitas Organics Cacao available at most health food stores.
any Sweetener, options I like
raw honey
maple syrup (vegan option)
(Optional) Topping, options I like
shredded coconut
fruit garnish, berries look especially decadent
dried fruit
hemp seeds
bee pollen
Fill your jar or bowl with 7 parts Milk and 1 part Chia Seeds. (If you're using a big Bell jar, you can use the markings on the sides to measure.) Either shake your jar to mix or immersion blend.
Add Salt & Cinnamon while the mixture is still liquid. Try adding a pinch of each if you're making a small jar or 2 teaspoons of each for an extra-large Bell jar.
Add 1/4 cup of Cacao Powder for every 2 cups of Milk. Add 1/4 cup of Sweetener for every 2 cups of Milk. Shake a lot or blend to combine.
Every couple of minutes, shake your jar or immersion blend your mixture. Small jars will start to thicken in about 10 minutes, large jars can take up to 25 minutes to set. If your mixture doesn't thicken after 20 minutes, add more chia seeds and blend to prevent them from sticking together.
Once you've got a pudding-like mixture, taste your mixture. Add more sweetener if you want to. If your flavors seem dull, add more salt.
Pour pudding into cups/bowls/jars and top with whatever you like. Refrigerate leftovers and eat them for up to 5 days.
