I’ve been a fan of chia pudding for a while now– in fact I did a post on it several years ago–but I recently discovered an amazing secret to make this recipe fool-proof: mason jars. Before, ensuring that the chia seeds would absorb the milk evenly and not clump required constant vigilance, a wayward stirring technique with a fork, and crossing my fingers. By using a jar, you only need to mix the mixture once, and then shake the jar every once in a while. It also functions as a transportable and fun dish for the pudding.
In general, I like to keep it seasonal and local, so tropical fruit may seem a bit out of left field. But here’s my thought process: other than apples leftover from the fall, seasonal fruit in the winter is sparse. If I’m eating fruit, chances are it’s not local anyway, so why not enjoy some of the fruits I normally don’t buy during the summer, when my kitchen is overflowing with local fruit and berries?
Tropical Chia Pudding
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 cups homemade cashew milk, see recipe below or milk of your choice
- 1/2 kiwi, diced
- 3 strawberries, diced
- 1/4 cup mango compote, see recipe below
- sweetener of your choice, I used about a packet of stevia for one serving; my guess is that most people would want a teaspoon or two of honey, etc.
How to Cut a Kiwi:
- Cut off ends so kiwi can stand up straight. With a knife (large or small), peel the kiwi in a smooth motion.
- Lay the kiwi horizontally and slice into rounds. and then dice these rounds.
Make the Chia Pudding:
- Put chia seeds and milk in a jar or tightly closed container. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, then open and stir well with a fork. Put jar in fridge for several hours or overnight. If possible, shake again after an hour or two; although this step isn't necessary, it will help to prevent clumping. The pudding is ready when it's thick and the chia seeds have become larger, gray and soft.
Assemble & Eat:
- Top pudding with fruit and eat immediately. The chia pudding will last about 3-4 days in the fridge; for the freshest flavor, top with the fruit right before you eat it.