April 30, 2016

Blood Orange Chia Pudding

All winter long I’ve been basking in the wonderful taste and nutritional value of the striking blood oranges.  And even though spring is well upon us, I’ve been lucky enough to still get my hands on them at the grocery store.  Now, the real magic happens when you marry blood oranges with yogurt and chia seeds to create an exceptional and lip-smacking treat that you’ll crave every morning.  Yes, we’re talking breakfast and the best part about this breakfast is that this Blood Orange Chia Pudding is a no-cook silky pudding that you whip up the night before.   
  



People have been going gaga over chia seeds for a long while now and I have been on the chia bandwagon myself.  Truth is, with all the nutritional benefits of fiber and omega-3s that they pack they are hard to ignore.  Plus, once drowned in the velvety blood orange juice and yogurt mixture, these chia seeds plump up and turn into tiny fat bubbles that burst onto your tongue and crack under your teeth.  As Giada de Laurentiis noted in her cookbook, they do remind you of tapioca pearls, which I happen to adore, but even if you’re not a tapioca fan, this Blood Orange Chia Pudding will convert you into a chia lover in no time.    





Although it might look like one while sporting a beautiful pale pink hue, this pudding is more than just a flavored, textured yogurt.  It is a smooth, pleasantly thick, creamy, tangy, citrusy and sweet pudding with a lovely somewhat bubbly texture that provides a substantial and filling breakfast in a tiny serving.  Top it with bright fruit and toasted pistachios and you’ve created the breakfast of champions.  





In addition, this Chia Pudding is quite versatile.  While I love the blood orange version, Giada offers a recipe that calls for vanilla-flavored unsweetened almond milk instead of orange juice.  So, you can definitely replace the blood orange juice with almond milk and still end up with a phenomenal and slightly creamier concoction.  Enjoy!    





Blood Orange Chia Pudding
Adapted from Bon Appétit (February 2016)

Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients:

·         ½ cup Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
·         ½ cup fresh blood orange juice
·         2 Tablespoons honey or agave nectar or maple syrup (whichever you prefer or have on hand)
·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract
·         Pinch of salt
·         ¼ cup chia seeds
·         Blood orange segments or blueberries or any other fruit you like
·         Chopped pistachios or sliced almonds, toasted





Instructions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, blood orange juice, honey, vanilla and salt.  Whisk in the chia seeds.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 8 to 24 hours.  When you’re ready to eat the pudding, stir the pudding and divide it between small bowls or glasses.  I, however, recommend that you divide the mixture between small bowls and glasses, cover them with plastic wrap and then chill for up to 24 hours.  That way, come morning, I only have to grab one of the glasses from the fridge, stir, top the pudding with fruit and nuts and enjoy.  





Before serving, layer the pudding with some orange segments (or other fruit you prefer).  Top with the chopped pistachios and remaining orange segments.  Drizzle with more honey if desired and serve. 





Note: To top the pudding with orange segments, cut the peel and white pith from 2 blood oranges.  How to do that: cut a slice off the top and bottom of the orange, making sure you cut just past the pith to expose the fruit underneath.  Stand the orange upright on a cut end.  Following the curve of the fruit, use a small knife to slice away the peel and pith.  Working over a bowl, cut along either side of membranes to release the segments.  




Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

14 comments:

  1. Arata fantastic! Cred ca este super delicios!
    Sanda F

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    Replies
    1. Multumesc, Sanda! Arata bine si e si un mic dejun copios si delicios :)

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  2. I do get excited when I see blood oranges in the stores. They definitely are my favourite variety of orange. I haven't tried them in a chia pudding so thanks for the idea! xx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Charlie! I love blood oranges too and they work beautifully in this breakfast pudding :) xx

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  3. Love blood oranges! This is such a nifty pudding -- really clever idea. Thank you so much for this!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, John! I think it's a really tasty and inventive way of using chia seeds :)

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  4. I just toss chia seeds into my morning yogurt. Your recipe sounds both elegant and delicious with the blood oranges!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Liz! It's definitely a different and delicious breakfast treat plus it showcases the nutritious qualities of chia seeds :)

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  5. I couldn't find blood oranges so I made my chia pudding with navel oranges instead! It was so easy to make and the perfect breakfast treat :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Natalie! So happy you made the pudding and loved it! Totally agree – it's a super easy and delicious breakfast treat :)

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  6. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the additional info on chia seeds! Greatly appreciate it :)

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. I hope you will share some more information about blood orange. Please keep sharing.
    Health Is A Life

    ReplyDelete
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