Ok, I thought putting “pet” in this post’s title would just be a fun throwback. It turns out that chia pets are alive and well (Baby Yoda just one of a gazillion newer visual options). My idea of fun with chia involves macadamia nut milk and cocoa for virtually instant pudding I think you’ll love more than any cultural icon.
Five Simple Ingredients
Cocoa. Chia Seeds. Vanilla. Macadamia Nut Milk. Monkfruit. Just add a little patience at the beginning to make this chia treat into an intensely rich chocolate reward for, say, getting through another 16-hour fast.
Because the first ingredient is unsweetened cocoa powder, you’ll need to blend that carefully with the second ingredient: Milkadamia Macadamia Milk (fun name!). Anytime you’re combining pure cocoa with a liquid it requires slowly stirring a small amount to create a smooth consistency that allows you to blend in the rest of the liquid.
I recommend about a 1:3 ratio. So my 1.5 tbsp of cocoa was SLOWLY blended with a spoon with about 4 tbsp of the nut milk. However, I eyeball it so don’t quote me. Once it’s smooth add enough macadamia milk to bring the total liquid to about a half a cup.
Chia Magic
The best thing about chia seeds clearly is a unique way it thickens liquids. I’m a longtime tapioca fan, but that doesn’t bring much to the table. Chia offers a heaping helping of Omega 3s with 2.5g per tablespoon. Not too shabby. It also clocks in with zero carbs. That’s why it’s my go-to for making a pudding-like dessert. Sorry tapioca, those days are over.
The method: Add 2 level teaspoons to your macadamia (or other liquid) along with a couple of teaspoons of monkfruit and stir until incorporated. Fair warning, it won’t look great. Just cover the container and wait for the chia to thicken, which is at least 5-10 minutes. Stirring again is a good idea as the seeds on top might not be fully expanded into a gel by the liquid.
I use a mini stainless steel bowl with a snap-on lid for my chia pudding, but any ramekin will do as long as you cover it. Tip: the longer you wait the thicker and more pudding-like the chia will get. I’d show you a picture of the results, but it wasn’t exactly “Insta-worthy.”
Anyway, give it a try, and let me know if you love or not.
Brandmoon: Words Matter 