Mango Chia Pudding

Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, chia pudding is not just healthy and nutritious but also absolutely delicious and versatile. Mango just happens to be my favorite, but I also love it with all kinds of berries, bananas, my homemade preserves, or even without any fruity addition.  Because chia pudding can or should be made in advance, you don’t have to spend your precious morning time in the kitchen to enjoy a good and healthy breakfast.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 2 cups (480 ml) plant based milk
• 1/8 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 3 oz (85 g) pitted, dried dates
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• generous 1/2 cup (90 g) chia seeds
• 1 large ripe mango
• 5 pitted, dried dates
• (optional) plain, dairy free yogurt – store bought or homemade
• more cinnamon to dust

Preparation:

Add plant based milk, salt, the 3 oz dates, and cinnamon to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, about 1/2 minute. This already smells and tastes so good, but you’re not done yet. Pour the liquid into a large 32 oz wide mouth mason jar or other container with lid. Stir in the chia seeds, and keep stirring for about 2 minutes. This will keep them from sticking together or to the jar. Set aside for a couple minutes until the chia seeds have soaked up most of the liquid.

Meanwhile, peel the mango, remove the pit, and cut about 1/4 into bite size pieces. Purée the rest with 5 dates. It doesn’t have to be completely smooth, but that’s your choice.

Once the soaked chia seeds have a pudding like texture, you can either layer them with chopped and puréed mango in a medium size glass bowl, which is a nice display on a brunch table, or in individual jars/containers. If you want to take them to work or on a road trip, just use sealable containers. They work best. Top everything with a layer of plant based yogurt, if you wish, and dust  with more cinnamon.

Notes:

• Instead of mango, you can use all kinds of berries, bananas, preserves, or add more seasonal spices and enjoy it without fruit.
• Cocoa and coconut sounds like a good combination too.
• You could also soak nuts, seeds, and dried fruit with the chia seeds, which would give it a more granola like texture. This requires a little bit more liquid.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for at least 2 days. You might have to add some more plant milk because the chia seeds will have soaked up most of the liquid.