CARAMELIZED BANANA AND ROASTED WALNUT CHIA PUDDING

CARAMELIZED BANANA AND ROASTED WALNUT CHIA PUDDING

 

There is nothing I love more then easy desserts that can be done ahead of time with only a few finishing touches to put together before serving. This dessert is exactly that. I say dessert, but I would eat this for breakfast without hesitation.

The chia pudding can be whipped up in minutes up to a few days ahead and the caramelized bananas and roasted walnuts are the last minute finishing touches that bring this dessert to a whole new level of deliciousness.

And let’s not forget that there is nothing more satisfying than eating a dessert that is not only delectable on your taste buds but equally healthy for your body.

WINNER!

What makes this dessert so healthy…

 

This dessert packs an obvious nutritious punch with potassium loaded bananas, but did you know that bananas are also believed to help prevent asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and digestive problems?

No wonder it is one of the world’s most consumed fruit.

But what really makes this dessert a winner is the chia.

Chia started getting popular years ago and have since been considered a nutrition power house.

But do you know what makes these little white or black pearls so precious to our health?

Benefits of chia seeds

 

You may think that it’s their high content of omega-3 fatty acids (18%) – essential fats that are important for heart health and brain function.

Or their outstanding gluten free fibre content (chia’s 34% fibre is higher than that of flaxseeds or sesame seeds, and works out to be about 10g in two tablespoons, which would make a significant contribution to the 25–30g it’s recommended we consume daily).

Or simply because they are an excellent source of protein and extremely high in calcium – at 631mg per 100g (five times the level in milk).

If you believe any or all of these reasons are what makes chia seeds such a superfood, you would be totally right. But you would be missing one of the most important reasons why chia seeds are so good for you: it’s gel like effect!

That’s right!

The power is in the gel

 

The fact that chia seeds turn into this thick gel when combined with any liquid is what makes them so incredibly good for your body.

Chia seeds are able to hold up to 12 times their weight in water and if soaked for over 30 minutes, will form a gel. When in your stomach, this gel reaction forms a barrier and slows down your digestion to create a sustained release of energy.

They also help detoxify your body. When they are completely digested, chia seeds swell and absorb toxins in the body and cleanse the digestive tract. Their detoxifying properties also help improve the health and appearance of your skin, nails, and hair.

And last but not least, chia seeds also allow the body to absorb all fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E and K.

 

caramelize_banana_walnut_chia_pudding

 

Not bad for a tiny little pearl!

And so what better way to enjoy such health benefits than in a dessert.

The caramelized bananas and roasted walnuts add just the right amount of decadence to make you feel naughty without taking away all the great health benefits. And if you are really pressed for time, simply skip the roasting part and top with regular walnuts.

I promise, it is just as delicious!

This dessert is a huge hit in our family, and is 100% toddler approved.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

As always, I love hearing from you so leave me a comment and let me know how you enjoy eating chia seeds.

 

Love

Eloise

 

CARAMELIZED BANANA AND ROASTED WALNUT CHIA PUDDING
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This easy make ahead dessert will sure become a family favourite.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup balck chia seeds
  • 2 cups coconut milk (the one in a can. I use the full fat version for a creamier texture)
  • 6 drops of liquid stevia
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 medium bananas
  • 1 Tbs vegan butter (I use Earth Balance)
  • 1 Tbs brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven at 375 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the chia seeds, milk, liquid stevia and vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk together and set aside in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour but up to 2 days.
  4. Once your oven is preheated, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 mins.
  5. Turn the walnuts after 5 minutes and check on them at the 8 minute mark to make sure they are roasting and not burning.
  6. In the meantime, cut your bananas in thick 1 inch slices.
  7. Set a saucepan on medium heat and melt the butter and brown sugar.
  8. Add the sliced bananas.
  9. Allow bananas to cook for at least 2 minutes before turning.
  10. Take the chia pudding out of the fridge and pour in 4 bowls.
  11. Decorate with the caramelized bananas and walnuts.

 

Decadent Granola

Good morning beautiful people,

Today is a big day for me. My son is now in daycare full-time (he’s 13 months) which means that I’m officially back at work full-time also. Although I never really stopped working, today feels different. Very different. Probably because today is the first day that my husband dropped off our son at daycare so I could map out the walk to the train station that’s not too far from our house. Probably because I had to pack all my food, coffee and water to prepare for my 1:30 hour commute to work. Probably because it just dawned on me that I’ll now be doing this every morning and every night. See, up until a few months ago, we lived rather close to my work. But our offices moved…1:30 hour away from where we live. It’s gonna be an adjustment. But because I truly believe there is a positive side to everything, here’s the good that I see coming out of this:

  1. My husband gets to spend time quality alone with our son in the morning. Necessary male bonding!
  2. I have all this time to write posts and think about creative and fun recipes for you guys.
  3. I have time to think, period! Loll

So come to think of it, this is gonna be great! And frankly, there really is no other way to look at it because I’ve got a long road ahead of me.

Needless to say, I needed a really good and hearty breakfast to bring with me this morning.

I wanted something that would be easy to carry, didn’t need assembly, was satisfying and filling and would make me smile because yes, good food does make me smile. So as I was going through different ideas last night, I finally settled on my decadent granola. That would definitely make me smile in the morning!

This delicious mix of rolled oats, mixed nuts, shredded coconut, dark chocolate and maple syrup pairs well with anything. Whether you want to devour it by the handful, sprinkle it on top of some coconut yogurt or drench it with your favourite mylk, this granola is absolutely divine. I personally love to enjoy it with my new mylk obsession: Ripple’s unsweetened pea mylk. It is just so smooth and creamy. It’s the only mylk my son will drink and we buy it by the case.

I hope this granola makes you smile this morning and let me know how you’ve enjoyed it!

 

xx

Decadent Granola
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
This decadent chocolaty granola recipe can easily be played around with to suit you and your family’s taste. I used walnuts and pecans in this recipe but you can easily add almonds and pistachios instead if you prefer, or pumpkin and sunflower seeds. You can also sub the chocolate for dried fruits if you want to make it a little less decadent. I also used coconut butter to help bind everything together. I find coconut butter adds a greater creaminess and flavour then just coconut oil. But feel free to play around with that too. Once cooled, you can store this granola in a glass jar in the refrigerator for at least 10 days.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups GF rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded dried coconut, unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 70% cacao
  • 2 Tbs maple syrup
  • 2 Tbs coconut butter
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • a pinch of Himalayan pink salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl, melt the coconut butter in the microwave for a few seconds.
  3. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients together and toss with your hands. It’s messy but so much fun!
  5. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes then flip the mixture around with a spatula.
  7. Return to the oven for an extra 2 minutes or until the oats and nuts are toasted.
  8. Take out of the oven and let cool for at least 10 mins.