MY FAVORITE RECIPE As the new year begins, I am adding healthy nutrition habits into practice by including more plant-based recipes into my daily and weekly regime. I am starting with a wonderful, light Berry Chia Parfait that is a delightful recipe to enjoy for breakfast or dessert.
It's also really pretty because of the berry colors. This recipe is from Clean Eating Magazinebut adapted to fit MY Lifestyle. I lightened it up using low fat instead of full fat coconut milk. Also, it was easier to find a box of monk fruit sweetener packets, rather than the liquid, so I adapted the recipe to desired sweetness. (FYI--Monk fruit sweetener is made from the fruit extract, which is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar. The extract contains zero calories, zero carbohydrates, zero sodium, and zero fat.)
I hope you enjoy this easy, delicious and nutritious recipe as much as I am enjoying it! Bon Appetit!
Recipe -Berry Chia Parfait
1 - 13.5 oz. can low fat coconut milk, unsweetened
⅔ cup chia seeds, divided
20 drops liquid of zero calorie monk fruit sweetener (found at local healthy grocers)
2 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
⅛ tsp. Sea salt
1-10 oz bag frozen mixed berries, thawed
1 navel orange, juiced
¼ cup water
Prepare chia pudding; in a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, one half of chia seeds, one half of hte monk fruit sweetener, vanilla extract and salt. Stir to mix well. Cover and refrigerate until thickened, at least 4 hours. (NOTE: Check after an hour to make sure seeds aren’t clumping at the bottom; if so, stir to redistribute.)
Prepare berry mixture: In a small saucepan, combine berries, orange juice, water and remaining half of monk fruit sweetener. Bring to a simmer on medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until berries are juicy and have softened, 3-5 minutes. Mash with a fork, then transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining one half of chia seeds. Let cool for 15 minutes.
Transfer half of each mixture to a food processor and process until combined.
Divide pudding berry mixture from processor among 4 small bowls or parfait glasses. Divide remaining chia pudding over the first layer, spreading evenly. Divide remaining berry mixture over top of each bowl. Cover and chill before serving.