Chia Seeds: Another Raw Adventure

[djd]

 

 

Ever the gastronomically curious, I wanted to try using chia seeds. It took me awhile to find some but it did happen.

Inspired by a video by Mimi Kirk I made the following preparation:

½ cup almonds—soaked for about 8 hours, then drained

Chopped, blended, etc. adding water to make 2 cups liquid (an almond milk).

Puréed 3 dates and 1 fresh apricot using just enough of the liquid to do so, then mixed all together.

Added ¼ tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ginger, a pinch of salt, ⅓ cup chia seeds.

 

I stirred well several times and then put the preparation in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day:

What do you think? It is definitely no longer a liquid. And now for the taste test:

It was fresh, mild. I could taste the cinnamon somewhat, but not much else. My husband said these seeds must be “extincteurs de goût”. The opposite of mono-sodium glutamate I guess. I see a need for creativity, to find ways of using their properties of gelling a liquid without cooking. It could be a savoury liquid as well as a sweet one.

I am also curious about growing them.  The plant flowers since these are its seeds.  It is "salvia hispanica".  Salvia is sage.  Stay tuned for more adventures. 

[Aran M Cockburn]

I made a carob chia pudding for Rob.. Chia Seeds, Almond Milk, Carob powder and honey to sweeten it.. He liked it and he's not raw...

[Emily]

oh yum! fun adventure.  When I've made chia pudding, I've put in some vanilla extract I think (could use vanilla bean, probably a little healthier).  Actually, I'm pretty sure what I did was make a sweet vanilla almond milk, sweeter and more vanilla-y than usual, then just let the chia soak in the almond milk for half an hour.  I love it.  Mixing in cacao powder in place of the vanilla was also really good, depending on how much you like chocolate. I'd love to hear what you learn about growing them.

[Ayn]

Lucy,

How do you make chia water? Do you just dilute it more than the gel? And do you grind the seeds or no? I think I could do that one too.. I am always looking for new chia seed ways!

[Vegan♥for♥Life]

I drink chia water daily. I even have a bag at work. They are the best hydrating tool ever.

[Ayn]

I have been making a pudding. I put 2 T chia seeds (dry) in the coffee grinder, then add them to about 1/4 cup of water, let gel and that is my pudding base. I will blend a banana with raw cacao powder and cinnamon and mix that as a pudding, or just the banana, or I will add the banana and pumpkin spices, etc. Its pretty darn good, and whole house approved. If you do not blend the chias, they may stay crunchy, which I dont care for, but you might!

[Bette Bliss Shaw]

Oh chia is ONE AMAZING and POWERFUL food. Although not tasting like much, it can be made into so many things. Picture it much like tapioca or a thickening agent. One beauty is the high protein content!!! Plus the gel helps the bowels! Amazing action pack in this lil seed!

 

 

 

[Jean]

I make chocolate chia pudding and rice (chia) pudding.

I use it in smoothies and There is a recipe for a lemonade fresca somewhere. I just made watermelon limeade and added the gelled seeds to it -rawsome!