In my chia pudding era

If you follow this blog, you know that TikTok and Instagram influence a LOT of the chances I take with cooking. My poor, sweet husband plies me with gorgeous cookbooks, but nothing compares to a sleek thirty-second video that moves so quickly you don't know how labor intensive the recipe is. 

Chia pudding videos were enticing. It requized zero cooking and the seeds sprouted into what I could only describe as Barbie-sized boba. When I finally got around to making it, I immediatley kicked myself for not trying it sooner. It's so versatile and filling, I stack little jars in the fridge for grab-and-go breakfasts. My 10-year-old is a huge fan. 

I'm in my chia pudding era, though it's really an era within an era. The main era I am in in a spring roll era. It's been going on for a couple years now. Whenever I crave something, I stick it in a spring roll. Maybe some household members have accused me of trying to make everything into a spring roll, but it isn't true. Case in point: cereal. But within this spring roll era, I am really getting into chia pudding.

Below are two of my favorite recipes thus far. Usually I provide instructions, but it's the same for everything: Mix in a bowl, pour into small jars, and chill overnight. 

Tiramisu chia pudding

• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 4 tbsp maple syrup (the "healthy" kind, not the maple-flavored)
• 2 shots of espresso or very strong coffee
• 1.5 cups milk (you can use plant-based)
• 1.5 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp cocoa powder (to sprinkle on top each jar, right before serving)

Pina colada chia pudding

• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1.5 cups greek yogurt
• 1.5 cups coconut milk
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 cup chopped pineapple
• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

Stop me if you heard this before, but have fun with these recipes and experiement. For instance, in the above recipe I once switched pineapple for canned mandarin oranges in a pinch, and it was delightful. I now combine mandarins with coconut regularly.

You already get the bacic measurements of the chia seeds, milk, yogurt and maple. Everything else is just innovation. Look around at the extra ingredients you have at home. Ripe bananas, mint leaves, cinnamon, fudge, mangoes, peanut butter - the options are endless. If you have a cool flavor combination, share it with us!