Let’s Get Cooking: Chia Seed Delight

I love the nutritional benefits of chia seeds — and the way just having some fills me up. I don’t get hungry between meals when I include a teaspoon of chia seeds in my oatmeal or water bottle!

Because my Brazilian friend Rosita has asked for dessert recipes, I’ve kept my eyes open for something relatively healthy (since it is still January and most of us want to keep our New Year resolutions for healthy choices).

Here’s a recipe that you could use to start your day or serve as a tasty, healthy, colorful dessert.

From the November/December 2018 issue of “Eating Well” magazine, comes –

“Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!” — Fruity Chia Pudding

Active: 5 minutes Total: 8 hours, 5 minutes

To Make Ahead: Refrigerate pudding for up to 3 days. Mixed with a fruity base and refrigerated, chia seeds expand to form a thick, creamy texture similar to tapioca pudding . . .

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup blackberries, raspberries and/or diced mango (fresh or frozen) divided
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole-milk plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup granola

Directions:

1. Purée 1 1/4 cups fruit and milk in a blender or food processor until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl; mix in chia, syrup and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days.
2. Divide the pudding between 2 bowls, layering each serving with 1/4 cup of the remaining fruit, 1/4 cup yogurt and 2 tablespoons granola.

Serves: 2 about 1 1/3 cups each.

Nutritional Facts:

• Cal 343/Fat 15G (Sat 3G)/Chol 8MG/Carbs 39G/Total Sugars 18G (Added 6G)/Protein 14G/Fiber 14G/Sodium 125MG/Potassium 573MG

**Chia seeds are packed with fiber, a nutrient Americans [and others] often fall short on. Just 2 tablespoons provides a whopping 9 grams of fiber (p. 44).

Be healthy and enjoy this yummy dish for breakfast — and/or dessert..

Aloha, Renée