Chia seeds are increasingly popular at the moment; they\’re great for you (packed with fiber and omega-3s), and their ability to create gel without gelatine or sugar makes them incredibly popular with vegetarians, vegans and experimental foodies alike. Here\’s some recipes to try at home.
Pudding
You\’ll have seen this everywhere lately; and it\’s incredibly easy to make. Add three tablespoons of chia seeds to one cup of nut milk, and leave overnight – you can add any flavorings you like, such as maple syrup or vanilla extract.
Jam
Chia is a great way to create thick jam without adding a lot of sugar. Blend two cups of berries (fresh or defrosted) with four tablespoons of chia seeds, and quarter of a cup of maple syrup.
Pesto
Add one tablespoon of chia seeds to three tablespoons of purified water until it forms a gel, and then blend it with half a cup of walnuts, a quarter cup of pine nuts or cashews, two large cloves of garlic, a bunch of fresh basil leaves (about four cups, leaves only), and a heaped teaspoon of sea salt. Slowly blend in olive oil until it\’s the desired consistency.
Chocolate mousse
Grind two tablespoons of chia seeds in a coffee grinder, and add to 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, two tablespoons of sugar, and 3/4 cup of coconut milk. When it\’s thoroughly mixed, put it into ramekins and leave it to set for around half an hour.
Vegan Lemon Curd
Add three tablespoons of white chia seeds to three or four tablespoons of agave nectar (or maple syrup), three tablespoons coconut oil, two small tablespoons of lemon zest, one and a half tablespoons of lemon juice. Blend until totally smooth.