Citrus and Spice (and everything nice) Chia Pudding

Citrus and Spice and everything nice Chia Pudding {Gluten Free, Vegan/Vegetarian, Lower-Carb}

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!:  Or, Kate's Merciless Gobbling of Chia Pets

Citrus and Spice (and everything nice) Chia Pudding

Have you ever heard of chia?  Let me guess, you have!  But this is the context you've heard it in: "Ch-ch-ch-Chia!"  Yes, those silly chia "pets" that were constantly advertised in the late '80s and the 90's as the perfect gift for a loved one...or yourself.  As they say on Parks & Rec "Treat yo self!"  Well, I always thought chia pets were kind of cool when I saw ads for them as a kid.  

As a kid I admittedly thought ads for lots of things seemed pretty cool.  But, chia is one of the products that has stood the test of time in my appreciation. It's just that my interest in them has taken on a new form.  No longer (as much) wanting them to be my furry-living plant friends I want them in my belly.  Yeah, that's right.  I'm out to eat chia pets everywhere.  I am a lean, mean chia-eating menace.  Okay, so I'm not that lean or very mean at all, but I still like to eat those suckers.  Here's why...

Chia Seeds:  The Cutest Super Food you Ever did See

As you can tell I'm having some fun with this.  It's a bleak, rainy day where if fun is to be had it has to be manufactured and goofiness seems, to me, the way to go.  But, really, Chia seeds aren't a joke, they're not goofy, they're just...well, super.  Why?

• Low Glycemic Index: Chia seeds have a low glycemic load (with a glycemic value of 1) and according to research discussed by the Nutritional Science Research Institute, chia reduces blood sugar spikes 1 hour after food consumption.
• Low Carb: With a carbohydrate to dietary fiber ration of 13:12, chia sees are incredibly low in carbs.
• Protein: Chia is relatively high in protein (4g/ounce)
• Omega 3 + 6:  Chia is high in omegas 3 and 6 (omega 3= 4915mg, omega 6= 1620mg).
• Gluten Free / Vegan / Vegetarian:  Chia seeds are gluten free and vegan/vegetarian.  However, always be sure to check packaging materials to ensure that you are purchasing chias processed in a facility where cross-contamination won't pose complications to your dietary needs.
• Other Benefits:  It is believed that consuming chia delays digestion and allows energy bursts from eating chia to occur over a greater space of time post-consumption than other foods (for example carb-heavy foods that provide a fast, short-lived burst of energy).  This is supposed to keep hunger levels steady over longer periods of time and provide a more sustained block of energy for use by your body.

For more detailed nutritional information on chia seeds you can see Chia Nutritional Facts here.

Okay, I'll Eat These Suckers: How Should I Eat Them?

You can use chia seeds in everything from smoothies to puddings.  You can add them to pancakes, put them in banana (and other) breads, you can use them in homemade granolas  You can mix them into your morning oatmeal or your morning yogurt.  This is only touching the tip of the iceberg, but you can see many of these chia suggestions and others here at Shape Magazine's 9 Quick and Easy Chia Seed Recipes.  A google search will uncover many other possibilities!

Photo from the LA Times

For my own part, just about every morning I eat 0% plain Greek Yogurt, mix in about 1-2 tablespoons hydrated chia seeds (about 1 part chia seeds to 2-3 parts water let sit so the chia will expand and absorb the water).  I sometimes add in some powdered peanut butter (PB2 brand) that has been de-oiled and, therefore, reduced in fat and some of its heaviness.  I throw on some frozen berries and top with a tablespoon or two of hemp hearts.  Now THAT is a healthy, hearty breakfast.  Half the time I don't want to eat lunch after that until pretty late in the afternoon.  

RECIPE: Citrus and Spice (and everything nice) Chia Pudding

But, chia seeds can also become a super food DESSERT.  Yes, that's right.  This healthy super food can be transmogrified--rather easily, too--into pudding!  The consistency of chia pudding is much like a tapioca or a rice pudding.  There's some firmness to the chia balls as you'd get with either of the aforementioned products.  The chia itself has little flavor and takes on the flavors surrounding it.

I flavored my chia pudding with the spices of winter--nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and ginger--and paired these spices with fresh orange juice, almond milk, shredded sweetened coconut, hazelnut and cashew.  For sweetness I added some maple syrup and a touch of agave.  It was AMAZING.

Ingredients:

• ½ c. chia seeds
• 3 - 3 1/2 c. vanilla almond milk (sweetened or unsweetened—I used sweetened because it’s what was on hand)
• 1 1/2 c. water
• 1/2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon agave
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/3c. shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened at your discretion)
• 1pinch salt
• 1/2 c. hazelnuts (raw)
• 1/2c. cashews (raw)
• Clove; ½ teaspoon or to taste (use sparingly because it’s strong!)
• Cinnamon; 1 tablespoon or to taste
• Nutmeg; 2 teaspoon or to taste
• Cardamom; 1 teaspoon or to taste
• Ginger; 2 teaspoons or to taste**NOTE:  The key to using spices is to start off with a small amount and gradually add a little while tasting as you go.  You could very easily over spice if you don’t add them gradually.  And, if you’re a fan of the show Chopped on the Food Network you know how important it is to taste your food as you go!

To garnish (optional):

• Dried cranberries, cherries, and/or currants
• Raisins, golden or regular
• Chopped hazelnuts and cashews
• Fresh Fruit, such as mango or orange

  Directions:

1. Blend almond milk, hazelnuts, cashews and coconut in a blender until liquefied.
2. Place blended contents in large container.  Add water, spices, orange juice, spices, agave, maple syrup, vanilla, and chia seeds.  Mix to combine.  
3. Refrigerate 6 hours or until chia seeds are hydrated and the pudding is thick and creamy looking, with a rice pudding or tapioca like consistency.