Vanilla Chia Pudding with Blueberries

Chia, being one of the most amazing super foods is an inclusion that everyone should try to make in their diet. Flavourless, it is easy to put with any dish - from muffins and cakes to salads and stir-fries. It is full of dietary fibre, omega 3's and protein. 

I found this recipe on Pinterest and thought it looked like a great, quick breakfast. My issue with breakfast is that when I eat it, I'm always hungry only a couple of hours later. Chia, I am happy to say, actually fills me up quite well. 

You can make this the night before which is especially great for those who are time poor in the mornings. 

I found this a little weird in texture. Kind of slimy. Don't let it put you off though, with some blueberries and perhaps toasted muesli or toasted coconut flakes, this will make the texture a little more interesting. Give it a go. Let me know how you go below. :)

Recipe

3-4 tablespoons of chia (either white or black, it doesn't matter)

3/4 cup almond milk or light milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup

Blueberries to top

Mix up all the ingredients except blueberries in a container that you can seal. Put it in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight. 

When ready to eat, take it out, stir, and spoon into a bowl, ramekin or cup. Top with blueberries (and other desired toppings). 

You can add more milk if you want a more soupy consistency. You can also use more or less honey/maple syrup to sweeten it to your tastes. 

I used 4 tablespoons of chia and it was a thick consistency - almost pudding like.

My 3 year old also tried some and liked it so if you have kids, it might be a great way to get some awesome nutrients into them!

Pork and Mango Salsa

This rocked my world the other night! So light and refreshing yet filled us all up. The smell from making the salsa was intoxicating. I didn't expect it and made me even hungrier as I was cooking. :)

Ingredients:

4 medium butterfly pork steaks (I substituted the type as there was a poor selection at the supermarket).
1 large sweet potato, chopped into small cubes
1/3 cup low fat milk
cracked black pepper

Mango Salsa:

1 mango, diced
1/2 red capsicum, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped
juice of 1 lime
cracked black pepper

To make salsa:

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and season with the pepper. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Trim the pork of any white visible fat. Heat frying pan/grill/bbq.
Boil the sweet potato for 10 minutes, or until tender. Strain and mash with the milk and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.

Cook the pork both sides until just tender and white all the way through, you don't want to overcook!

Arrange the sweet potato mash in the middle of the plate, top with pork fillet and spoon over the mango salsa.

You could also serve with steamed green beans for some more veggie content.

Enjoy!!

From "Feeding the Bump" - Lisa Neal