Something simple. Something soothing.  And something healthy. That’s what I wanted to make post-Diwali binge. And there is nothing simpler than date & cinnamon chia pudding.

What is Chia?

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, grown in Mexico dating back to Mayan and Aztec cultures. It means strength, and folklore has it that these cultures used the tiny black and white seeds as an energy booster. – WebMD

Set aside the technical stuff, what you really need to know is that chia seeds are the best base for any pudding. When hydrated, they plump up into gelatinous balls. The consistency is very thick and almost like a nice sago (sabudana) pudding.

Mix it with milk or yogurt – any kind you prefer – you have a creamy, wholesome pudding ready in a jiffy.

What are the benefits of chia seeds?

Chia is hailed as one of the superfoods.  With one helping, you get a dose of antioxidants, fibers, proteins, calcium, magnesium, and omega – 3 fatty acids.

The best part is that you don’t have to ground them to unlock their nutritional benefits – an effort that’s a must with flax seeds.

As long as you dust chia seeds on yogurt, salads, or mix them in smoothies and shakes, you are good to go. You can even bake jams with them. I’ve made mulberry and persimmon chia seed jams to gorgeous results.

How to Make Date & Cinnamon Chia Pudding?

Like every other chia pudding, date and cinnamon is a great make-ahead breakfast too. You can prepare it a night before and store it in the refrigerator.

In the morning, tip in a bit of milk, mix, garnish, and serve. Hands down, it is the easiest, quickest and delicious breakfast you’ll ever have.

• It’s a twostep process. You start by blending milk and dates until you have a smooth mixture.
• Next you pour it in a bowl or jar, pick your choice. Whisk in the chia seeds and add a pinch of cinnamon.
• That’s it. You cover the jar, refrigerate and the pudding is done!

Next morning, you can always make it less thick by adding a couple of teaspoons of milk.

Variations of date and cinnamon chia pudding

I know some kids can be fussy about eating dates in any form. If that’s the case in your household, try any of my other chia puddings.  In case you are introducing chia to your home, begin with the chocolate chia pudding. It is always a winner.

Can you add sugar to the chia pudding?

Most of my chia puddings are not sweetened. I let the natural sugar in the fruit or the topping do all the work. In this recipe, the dates are more than enough to give the pudding a mild saccharinity.

But if you fancy something sweeter, please go ahead and add a touch of honey or maple syrup. You adjust the sweetness level as per your palate.

What milk can you use for chia pudding?

I used light coconut milk. If that’s not handy, then my usual choices are homemade almond milk. But soy and oat milk are excellent options too.

If you’re wondering why all non-dairy choices? That’s because I am lactose intolerant.

You can, of course, use any milk that suits your taste.

What can you use for toppings?

Chia seeds are blank canvases when it comes to taste. You can flavor them with any toppings, from fruits to nuts. Granola will take the health quotient even higher! Toasted coconut, pomegranates and even fresh figs will accompany it with charm.

Serving the date & cinnamon chia pudding

As I said before, chia seeds have the subtlest of tastes. They take up the flavor of the garnishing. I served the date and cinnamon chia pudding with just a sprinkle of goji berries and pumpkin seeds.

The recipe is sufficient to serve one person in generous amounts. You can double or treble it and serve the entire family. And I suggest you give it a try soon!

The warming cinnamon mixed with caramelly dates makes for a wonderfully light and refreshing breakfast. Something your stomach will thank you for after the rich and decadent feasting during the festivities.

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