We all scream for Chia Cream
August 7th, 2009
What’s creamy and sweet and comes in all sorts of flavors? You scream, I scream – well, go ahead. ICE CREAM!
Who can imagine summer without it? My first waitressing job was at Friendly’s believe it or not…I’d leave covered in hot fudge, thousand island dressing and Fribble. But I was young so somehow I’d get changed in my car and head out for a night with friends without a second thought. Sometimes on those nights ice cream was what I ate for dinner! No wonder those years felt crazy. Later when I was living alone in Boston on a laughable salary, I’d buy a cheap half gallon of ice cream and nosh while watching TV. Those years also felt crazy.
No more. Now I’ve got another treat that’s cool, creamy and delicious.
Enter stage left, Chia Cream!
I have to give credit to Ricki for this fantastic idea. It’s a dessert you can feel 100% good about. And I’ve found it to be a satisfying stand-in for ice cream. Of course I still have some ice cream from time to time. But chia pudding is starting to make a more frequent appearance because it is so easy and so yummy. Did I mention it’s good for you?
Ok, let’s get down to business. The chia seed. Heard of it? Maybe a little 80’s TV jingle comes to mind? Yes, the same seeds used in the Chia Pet is also sold at food grade quality and is a great source of nutrition. They’re full of Omega-3’s, calcium, fiber and antioxidants. Who knew? Learn more about ‘em here.
One time I used chia seeds alongside sesame seeds in a cookie recipe. They were good, but I noticed that I’d get the chia seeds stuck in my teeth and they’d turn sort of…gelatinous? Gross, huh. But this is a negative that turned into a huge positive, as you’ll see.
For this recipe you can use any kind of liquid you like. I used whole fat organic coconut milk for a very thick consistency that comes close to ice cream. Other types of milk or juice will create more of a pudding. I found chia seeds at Harvest Co-op in Cambridge, MA. If you can’t find ‘em, order ‘em here! Thank you, Interweb!
Ch-ch-ch-Chia Cream
4 Tbl. chia seeds
3/4 cup organic whole-fat coconut milk
1 Tbl. maple syrup
Topping options are endless: fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, cocoa, cinammon…
In a bowl, combine seeds with coconut milk. Stir well. Let mixture sit for 20-30 minutes. Stir every 5-10 minutes. The consistency will become thick and tapioca like. Add maple syrup and stir. You may refrigerate at this point for a cool treat, but it’s also good at room temperature. Add toppings and enjoy!
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This post is part of Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays.
thanks for the recipe and the great links! I’ve been wanting to try chia pudding for awhile now
and they always get stuck in my teeth too lol
August 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pmOh that sounds so good. I’ve seen chia seeds around the blogworld in oats and stuff, but never as a creamy delicious pudding! I love foods that are mush like in consistency.
August 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pmHi Michelle, I really love your blog. This chia cream looks amazing (I have always wanted to try those chia seeds) and the post about fats was great. We should all eat more fats! I love your food philosophy, it is pretty much the same as mine =) Cheers!
August 7th, 2009 at 6:01 pmThat looks great! I just got some chia seeds for the first time…maybe I’ll try this.
August 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pmoh my gosh I so want to try this! I still haven’t even tried a chia seed! What a fabulous idea. Friendly’s!! I use to eat their peanut butter cup sundaes….oh my gosh. They were so good then…I can’t even imagine eating 1/4 now! Those things were monsterous. Have a nice, free, outdoor weekend!
August 7th, 2009 at 6:33 pmThat recipe sounds so decadent and delicious! I love chia seeds and mix them in my morning oats, but I’ll have to try it out in pudding form
August 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pmOh wow, that looks amazing!! I’m going to try it this weekend. Thanks for the fantastic blog, it always nice to find other people with great food resources.
August 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pmWhat a great idea for this hot Summery Saturday – thanks!
August 8th, 2009 at 6:19 amEating RD – I have to say, they get stuck less with the pudding, maybe because they’ve already expanded?
Dori – in oats? I’ve never seen that but it makes sense!
Laura – thanks for coming by!
Daria – What did you plan to do with your new chia seeds?
Erica – omg, I know, those PB cup sundaes are still a weakness for me but I haven’t had one in years
Maria – Another person talking about chia seeds in oats! Why have I never tried this?
Michelle – thank YOU for stopping by
Sarah – you are very welcome! coconut is nice and cooling in the summertime.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:08 amChia is sooo good for you and in pudding, even better! http://cook4seasons.com/archives/ch-ch-ch-chia
August 8th, 2009 at 9:40 amYour version sounds ultra creamy and delish! I’ve made it with coconut milk on occasion, but then never know what to do with the rest of the coconut milk!
And as much as I love chia pudding, I must admit I don’t think it could replace ice cream in my affections!
August 8th, 2009 at 11:53 amWow that sounds great. I am on a no-added sugar fast and this would be just perfect. Maple syrup is excluded!
August 8th, 2009 at 11:06 pmYou are hilarious – love the tribute to the chia pet!!! ch-ch-ch-CHIA! YEAH!
August 9th, 2009 at 12:07 amSounds great – I know I like the ingredients…
I always thought waiting tables looked so – high pressure. But my first job ended up including making deliveries in my boss’s car after I’d only had my driver’s license a few months. Duh…
August 9th, 2009 at 6:45 pmI’m been reading about these Chia Seeds. Although lactose Intolerant… ice cream is one of my favorites. I wonder if I could do this with frozen yogurt !
August 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pmTotally agree with your thoughts. It irritates me that they put articles like that out there the way they did. Seems like they want to give people an excuse not to get exercise in…
August 10th, 2009 at 8:54 amI’ve seen a couple of bloggers do this now so I guess I really better try this. I love the idea of using coconut milk…I love any excuse to use the stuff! Yummers…
August 10th, 2009 at 9:45 amWill coconut water do the trick? If not, can you point us to a site/place to purchase organic whole-fat coconut milk?
Thanks!!
August 12th, 2009 at 1:21 amHow fun! I use chia seeds as an ingredient in a lot of food, and they’re my preferred way of getting Omega-3’s (no mercury, and they also seem to be safe for pregnant women. Which is not an issue, but I research everything!). The ice cream is an interesting idea — thanks for sharing the adventure.
August 12th, 2009 at 11:27 amHey guys, since Lisa asked I thought I’d mention that I get coconut milk at Whole Foods and am just careful to buy the organic variety and not the low-fat kind. If you don’t have it at a store near you, you can order it here http://astore.amazon.com/whdoyobogo-20/detail/B0000CE3XD
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August 13th, 2009 at 10:19 pm