Chia Nectarine Pudding

Chia seeds are gaining in popularity.  Now Chia seed products can be found almost everywhere.  I remember a couple of years ago when I first started using Chia Seeds, I could only find them at Whole Foods. Recipes using Chia seeds is also on the rise. 
I can understand this popularity.  Chia seeds are great to cook with and they are powerhouses of vitamins and minerals.  I love their gel quality when they are soaked in a liquid.  They add a nice nutty chewy texture.  

This pudding recipe is like a tapioca pudding in texture.  I soaked some Chia seeds in Vanilla Soy Milk and added a chopped nectarine and some vanilla extract.  Let the pudding sit for about 30 minutes.  Stir to unclump the seeds.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  When ready to serve, spoon in bowls and top with slices of nectarine.  If you would like your pudding a little sweeter add some sugar or maple syrup before serving.  

This recipe is very flexible. You can use whatever fruit you have on hand.


Chia Nectarine Pudding
From Redbook Magazine Adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen 
Ingredients:
2 cups sweetened Vanilla Soy milk
5 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 medium nectarine, diced
Nectarine slices for garnish



Directions:

1. Whisk together, the soy milk, chia seeds, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.   Add in the diced nectarines and stir.
2.  Let the pudding stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Stir to unclump the pudding. 
3. Refrigerate the pudding overnight.
4. Remove from fridge and spoon pudding into serving bowls. Garnish with nectarine slices.


Makes 4 servings

Chai Tai Beverage

I have been working out in the garden this past week to get things planted and looking nice.  Being outdoors, I like to have something cool to drink.  Usually, I have some lemonade or some iced tea or coffee.  Today, I made myself a Chai Tai beverage that I found in Family Circle magazine.  I made a few changes to the original recipe.  I kept the same ingredients but added a tablespoon of chia seeds and honey.   The result was a refreshing hydrating beverage that had the taste of bananas complimented by  cinnamon with a hint of cloves and cardamom.   The dates and chia seeds added an interesting and flavorful texture to the drink.

Chai Tai
From Family Circle Magazine Adapted From My Southwest Kitchen



Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla soy milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 cup coconut water
1/4 cup chopped pitted dates
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
2 medium frozen bananas sliced
1 cup ice cubes

Directions:
1. Soak chia seeds in the vanilla soy milk and the dates in coconut water for 30 minutes.
2.  Place all of the ingredients in a blender and puree on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy.

Makes 2 servings

Just a Quick Note:  I wanted to let you know I am now a member of Yummly.  You will see a YUM button on my recipes.  Click and you will be able to save your favorite recipes.  Thanks

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Smoothies are a favorite warm/hot weather beverage at my house.  We drink them for breakfast, snacks, swimming team practice, etc.  We have old favorites and are always willing to try new ones.   Today, I am trying two new ingredients in my smoothies.  Peanut butter powder and chia seeds.   I have been seeing peanut butterpowder in the stores and have read different recipes using it.  It sounds interesting.   Chia seeds are my latest health kick.  I am using them every way I can think of.  Oatmeal, smoothies, our favorite juice - I just add 1 tablespoon chia seeds, stir and let sit for 30 minutes, soy milk, - you get the idea.

In this recipe, I used both peanut butter powder and chia seeds. Note:  I let the chia seeds soak in the soy milk for about 30 minutes before I made the smoothie.  Like all smoothies, I put everything in the blender and gave it a whirl.  Again, another incredible smoothie.  Rich, creamy, with a very light nutty flavor.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup  vanilla soy milk
1 tablespoon  chia seeds
1 frozen banana,thawed lightly, peeled and cut into chunks
1 tablespoon Peanut Butter Powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Stir chia seeds into the soy milk.  Let them soak for 30 minutes.
2. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve.

Makes 2 smoothies