Have you heard of chia seeds? You probably have and you don’t even know it – think “ch-ch-ch-chia.” Yep, crazy to believe, but the seeds behind your beloved Chia pet also have rockstar status in the superfood world. Nutrients found in chia seeds include omega fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, calcium and protein. Don’t believe me? Read this blog entry on chia seeds from Dr. Oz’s team.
You can find Chia seeds at most grocery stores now – Trader Joe’s even sells them for my Boston readers. Chia seeds are useful because you can use them in just about anything – yogurt, sprinkled on salads, in grain dishes, smoothies and soups. When combined with liquid, Chia seeds absorb it so well that it creates a ‘gel’ like texture. It sounds strange, but it’s actually not all that wacky to me, as they still retain a slight crunch. As a result, you can combine various liquids with chia seeds to create a healthy spin on pudding that can be enjoyed for breakfast, a snack, dessert, etc.
During a recent snowstorm, I decided to experiment with pairing chia seeds with coconut water. In the evening, I combined 1tbsp chia seeds with 3/4 cup coconut water in an old Bonne Maman jam jar (my favorite jam & I save the old jars). I stirred a few times (this is really important, or else they stick together) and went to sleep. In the morning, the chia seeds had gelled, but the mix was still a little watery, so I added a scoop of my favorite protein powder – Vega One Vanilla Chai (which, yes, is green!). I would definitely recommend letting the seeds ‘gel’ overnight and then stir in the protein powder in the morning.
The results were incredibly delicious. The consistency was more like a thick porridge than gel like. Super yummy, nutrient dense and a little dessert like. The best part? The entire recipe nets out to be about 235 calories (100 from the chia seeds + coconut water, 135 from my protein powder), so you can sprinkle in some museli and fruit to round out the meal.
You could also make chia seeds in coconut water sans protein powder. I would just recommend decreasing the amount of coconut water to 2/3 cup and add in your favorite tropical fruit, like chopped mango and shredded coconut. That would be delicious!
Completed chia pudding – thick, green goodness!!
Consistency of chia pudding
Topped with my favorite gluten-free dried fruit & nut museli from Bob’s Red Mill
Buon Appetito!
For more of my recipes, click here.