Taste it Tuesday: Superfood Ch-ch-ch Chia Seeds!!!

If you had told me last year I'd one day be eating the seeds of a plant used to grow Barack Obama and Sponge Bob Squarepants lush green heads of hair, I would've asked you what you were smokin', and if I could have some.

Apparently those little black & white seeds aren't just useful to sell tacky mail-ordered planters. They actually have a much longer, and less embarrassing history.

Chia is an edible seed that was an important source of nutrients for the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. Just like corn and beans, chia was a staple in their diet and got its name from the Mayan word for "strength". Before the term "superfood" was used, these civilizations knew there was something "magical" about chia.

Today, this plant from the salvia (mint) family, is mostly grown in  Southern Mexico and is topping the list of foods that pack a BIG nutritional punch, with minimal calories.

Here's the skinny on the benefits of 1 ounce of chia seeds...

• 42% of your daily fiber
• 18% of your recommended calcium intake
• 2x the amount of protein of any grains
• 3x the amount of antioxidants of blueberries
• 5x more calcium than milk
• 2x the amount of potassium in a banana
• 3x the iron of spinach
• loaded with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
• are gluten and grain free!

Another fun fact about Chia seeds is that they can absorb "up to 12 times its own weight and expands to curb your appetite, so adding just an ounce or so of chia seeds to your diet can reduce caloric intake and help lower the energy density (or calories) of foods, plus double the amount of fiber you receive."

SO basically you can eat a buttload of this stuff, it gives you energy, provides you with LOTS of nutrients and you'll feel satisfied when your done. Here's my problem...

How in the hell do you prepare them?

When looking at these tiny seeds all I can think of is how they don't look like anything tasty, and are just itching to get stuck in my teeth. But, I gave into the hoopla surrounding its new found popularity, and purchased a pound at my local health food store.

When I got it home, I stared at the bag much like a new dads stare at their babies: "I know everyone says how great this is, but what do I do with it?"

I just couldn't figure out how to incorporate this new ingredient into my daily recipes. I mean its a seed, and most seeds you can eat by the handful. But chia seeds have no real flavor, so now what?

I scoured the internets to find the best ways to use chia seeds. What I found was pretty strange at first glance, so I started off with something easy.

Oatmeal

This recipe made the most sense to me, because chia seeds have some of the same qualities as rolled oats. Both, when dry, have little flavor and a rough texture. BUT when you add hot water or milk you get this creamy texture that fills you up. Here's what I made for breakfast yesterday.

2 packets of Nature's Place Maple Bown Sugar Organic Oatmeal
1 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (or whatever kind of milk you use)
1 tsp Organic Honey
1/4 frozen blueberries
2 tsp Chia seeds

Heat up the almond milk on the stove to an almost boil. Put the milk in a bowl with the blueberries to help them thaw quickly. Add in oatmeal and chia seeds and stir for a minute to let the milk absorb and thicken them. Add honey and stir again.

To my surprise this is actually quite good. The seeds soak up a lot of the liquid and get soft like the oatmeal. Next I think I will try Whole Wheat Chia Seed Pancakes!

Have you ever cooked or eaten chia seeds. Share your recipe below!


Chowing Down on a Superfood in Granolaville, 

Posted in: chia seeds,recipes,superfoods,taste it Tuesday