Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
INGREDIENTS
6 cups unsweetened almond milk
3 teaspoon vanilla extract
1.5 cup chia seeds
6 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
4 apples, cored and chopped or 4 cups strawberries
6 teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup real maple syrup
¼ cup 100% cocoa, unsweetened
3/4 cup nuts or seeds for toppings (pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, etc.) (optional).
MAKING THE DISH
Directions
For warm chia seed pudding, place milk and vanilla extract into a saucepan, and warm over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. The milk does not have to be boiling hot, just warm enough for your taste. Add chia seeds to a large bowl.
When the milk is warm, add the milk to a bowl of chia seeds. Whisk the cocoa into the mixture. Pour maple syrup into the mixture.
Stir continuously for about 2 minutes while the chia seeds absorb the milk. Allow the mixture to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
Top with coconut flakes, apple slices or sliced strawberries and cinnamon.
Options for added protein:
Add 2-4 Tbsp nuts and seeds or 1-2 spoon of nut butter (4-8g protein) per serving
1 serving of chocolate protein powder- stir in when finished cooking. (20 g protein). Add more liquid as needed.
3 Tbsp Hemp Seeds (10 g protein) per serving
Note: If you do NOT want warm chia seed pudding, simply add the milk to a bowl of chia seeds. Stir until the chia seeds have absorbed the milk (about 3 to 5 minutes). You can also let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight and add additional non-dairy milk in the AM when it has set. Then top with coconut flakes, apples, and cinnamon.
