Chia seeds are all the rage, and for good reason too.
They’re rich in fiber, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and omega-3s — and they’re low in calories!
Sound too good to be true? It’s not.
Three cheers for chia!
1. Cherry Chia Seed Pudding
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 750 minutes
Ingredients
Pudding
- 2 1/2 cups milk of your choice
- 1/2 cup pitted and halved cherries
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon stevia
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
Cream
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup cherries
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon stevia
Directions
In a blender, blend together milk, cherries, cardamom, stevia, and vanilla until smooth. Then pour the mixture over the chia seeds, and let sit overnight. Soak the cashews in water, and also let sit overnight. To make the cream, blend the cherries in a blender, and then add the soaked cashews along with the vanilla and stevia. Top the pudding with the cream mixture and serve.
2. Banana Chia Seed Cake
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup mashed bananas
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
Combine the almond flour, tapioca flour, flaxseed meal, baking soda, salt, and chia seeds in a large bowl. Then in another bowl, cream together the coconut oil and honey, adding in the eggs one at a time. Then add in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix together. Pour the mixture into a 8×8 pan, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, and then allow to cool.
3. Vanilla Almond Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 730 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Seasonal fruit
- Almonds
Directions
In a bowl, combine the almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla, and maple syrup. Store covered in the fridge overnight. Stir well before serving, and add some seasonal fruit and nuts on top.
4. Chia Brown Rice with Fried Egg
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 sliced green onion
- 2 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon chia seeds
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
Directions
In a saucepan, stir together the broth, onion, and 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, and let stand for 20 minutes. Then bring to a boil, add the rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 4-5 minutes. In a skillet, cook the eggs until desired readiness. Finally, divide the rice mixture into bowls and top each with an egg. Sprinkle with the tamari, a half-teaspoon of chia seeds, and green onions.
5. Chia Fresca Drink
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions: Blend all ingredients together in a blender for 30 seconds and let sit for 15 minutes to allow the chia seeds to expand.
Going to seed
Nutritional powerhouses, chia seeds are great for weight loss and overall vitality. All it takes is knowing how to use them in a tasty way. Once you’ve done that, your health and energy is sure to grow like shoots.
References
- “10 Healthy Chia Seed Recipes,”Health, June 11, 2015.
- “17 Chia Seed Recipes That Don’t Just Involve Pudding,” Bon Appétit, January 8, 2017.
- “31 Healthy And Delicious Ways To Cook With Chia Seeds,” BuzzFeed, January 3, 2014.
- “Quick and Easy Chia Seed Recipes,” Shape, August 15, 2012.
