ChiChi’s Chocolate Chia Pudding
Last week I wrote about the history and benefits of chia seeds in the post, Chia Seeds: Natures Powerhouse. Today I have a recipe for a delicious chocolate chia seed dessert. ChiChi is a nickname that I friends called me when I was in high school, and to this day a dear friend still calls me ChiChi. Hence, the name of the recipe. (I guess you can tell I like alliteration – just couldn’t think of a good alternative for the word “pudding.”)
ChiChi’s Chocolate Chia Pudding
Ingredients:
3 cups nut milk* (see recipe below)
2-3 Tbs. raw cacao
3-5 Tbs. raw honey, maple syrup or agave
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch salt
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup goji berries (optional)Equipment:
blender, large mixing bowl, whisk
- Place all the ingredients EXCEPT the chia seeds and (optional) goji berries in the blender and blend until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl.
- SLOWLY add the chia seeds, stirring constantly with a whisk until all the seeds are coated in the milk mixture. Wait a few minutes and add (optional) goji berries. All to sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. The pudding will thicken.
- Chill in the refrigerator for several hours before serving. I prefer to leave the pudding overnight, as it continues to thicken and the berries soften and get nicely plump.
Nut Milk
Ingredients:
1 cup almonds or Brazil nuts
3-6 cups water (depending on desired creaminess – I use about 3-4 cups for the pudding)
1-2 dates or other sweetener (optional)Equipment:
blender, large mixing bowl, nut milk bag or fine strainer
- Place nuts and water in the blender.
- Blend until the nuts are completely ground.
- Pour the mixture through a nut milk bag or very fine strainer over a large bowl.
- Gently squeeze the nut milk bag to express all the liquid. If using a strainer, keep stirring the mixture so the liquid drains out, removing excess pulp as you go.
- If adding sweetener, pour the milk back into the blender and add the dates or other sweetener. Blend again until dates are fully incorporated into the milk.
- Stored in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator, nut milk will keep for 2-3 days.
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Marilyn Chiarello, founder of A Taste of Light, is a certified raw vegan chef,educator and health coach.She offers a variety of services including health coaching, classes, dinner parties, consultations and presentations. For more information, visit aTasteofLight.com or contact her directly – Marilyn@aTasteofLight.com or 516-671-7037.
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