Chia Pudding Dessert Shooters

I couldn't decide which flavor of chia pudding to share with you first, so what the heck, I'll share all three.  Gives me a good excuse to use these adorable little Bormioli shot glasses too.  No spoons needed, just tilt your head back and enjoy.

Now for some interesting facts about chia seeds.  Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain superfood that can be eaten raw or in gel form (they absorb liquid, up to 10 times their weight).  They're chock full of healthy omega fats, protein, antioxidants, calcium, and dietary fiber.

Bonus - chia seed gel can be used as an egg substitute when baking:  for every egg called for in a recipe, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and allow to gel.

Chocolate Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate milk

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

Directions

1. Combine chia seeds and chocolate milk, stirring frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.

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Roasted Strawberry and Vanilla Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vanilla roasted strawberries

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 3 tablespoons chia seeds

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine strawberries, milk, and water.

2. Add vanilla extract and chia seeds, stir frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.

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Vanilla Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• sweeten to taste

Directions

1. Combine milk, vanilla bean paste, chia seeds, and your choice of sweetener, stir frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.

Just Like Wendy's Chili

I found this copycat recipe online - it really does taste remarkably similar to Wendy's Chili, only it's a bit heartier than what I usually get when I hit my local drive-thru.  Be warned, this recipe makes a ton - it'll fill a 5.5-quart dutch oven almost to the rim.   Add cheese or sour cream if you like, but they're really not needed here.

Just Like Wendy's Chili

serves 12

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 pound ground beef

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 3 14-ounce cans stewed tomatoes

• 1 10-ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes

• 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 2 1.25-ounce packets of chili seasoning mix (or use my DIY recipe below)

• 1 14-ounce can kidney beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can navy beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can black beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can pinto beans, undrained

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed dutch oven over medium-high heat.

2. Brown ground beef with salt and pepper until cooked through, stirring frequently to break up clumps.

3. Stir in celery, onion, and green bell peppers; cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent.

4. Add stewed tomatoes, rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce and water.

5. Stir in dried parsley, cumin, and chili seasoning.

6. Add undrained beans and stir to combine.

7. Heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

8. Stir in vinegar just before serving.

DIY Chili Seasoning Mix

makes approx 2 packets of chili seasoning mix

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 4 teaspoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion

• 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic

• 2 teaspoons white sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place ingredients in a blender, food processor, or spice grinder and blitz to combine.

adapted from allrecipes.com