CHIA PARFAIT BASICS for parfaits
Make-ahead soaked chia seeds are a fabulous foundation for the most #yum breakfast creations. Its anything goes and I have some really delicious extras that make for beautiful bowls. It elevates over-night chia puddings to gourmet good. My fave way to eat.
Double the recipe as needed relative to the number of parfaits you plan to make. Then stock up on a few of the suggested extras and you can make numerous variations all week long.
The recipe may look long yet it's so easy to make the the extras like the Vegan Butter Crème are optional.
INGREDIENTS for CHIA BASE
12 tablespoons chia seeds
3 tablespoon buckwheat groats
1/4 cup dried fruits such as currants, cranberries or goji berries, apricots or prunes, slivered
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tsp cinnamon and if desired 1 tsp each cardamom and ginger powder
Pinch sea salt, to taste
PARFAIT LAYERS
1 cup fruit of choice per parfait
2-3 tbsp nut or seed crème or 1-2 tbsp nut or seed butter of choice and...
TOPPINGS: granola, bee pollen, cacao nibs, toasted nuts or seeds such as hemp
PER PARFAIT
1 cup dairy-free milk + more if needed
1 cup berries or chopped fruits such as apples, pears, oranges for serving - your choice
DIRECTIONS for CHIA BASE:
DIRECTIONS FOR PARFAIT BUILDING
VEGAN NUT OR SEED BUTTER CREME
I am such a fan of this simple non-dairy crème and love to have it on hand all the time. It's great for these parfaits, as a dip for fruits, granola and porridge bowls and even as icing. Simply increase the amount made as needed. The recipe yields approximately one cup.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup nut or seed butter of choice
1/4-1/3 cup pitted dates that have been soaked to soften (reserve the soaking water as a sweetener for lattes/tea/cocktails)
Approx. 1/2 cup non-dairy milk, more if needed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom, optional
1 tbsp maca root or lucuma powder, optional
1 tbsp chia seeds, optional
Pinch sea salt
DIRECTIONS
TERI'S TIPS
Find great products at www.rawelements.ca and use Teri15 to save 15% on your order.
My fave brands are:
Health Force for the vitamin C powder, chlorella and vita-mineral greens,
Bioptimizers for digestive enzymes and probiotics,
Miski for the maca, cacao, cacao nibs, maca and moringa,
YUPIK for the nuts and seeds,
Sunwarrior for the collagen, Ormus Greens and Liquid Light,
My Matcha Life makes my fave matcha tea, Jem makes crazy good nut butters
Lavido has me hooked on the face serum, and age away night cream as well as the age away replenishing cream
I am now trying the E3LIve and BABz and enjoying them too.
Make-ahead soaked chia seeds are a fabulous foundation for the most #yum breakfast creations. Its anything goes and I have some really delicious extras that make for beautiful bowls. It elevates over-night chia puddings to gourmet good. My fave way to eat.
Double the recipe as needed relative to the number of parfaits you plan to make. Then stock up on a few of the suggested extras and you can make numerous variations all week long.
The recipe may look long yet it's so easy to make the the extras like the Vegan Butter Crème are optional.
- Breakfast, Snack, Dessert, Pre-Post Workout meal
- Prep Time: 8-10 min plus overnight soaking or at least 20 mins for a quickie soak
- Yield: Makes 4 -6 parfaits
- Vegan, gluten, soy, dairy, corn free
INGREDIENTS for CHIA BASE
12 tablespoons chia seeds
3 tablespoon buckwheat groats
1/4 cup dried fruits such as currants, cranberries or goji berries, apricots or prunes, slivered
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tsp cinnamon and if desired 1 tsp each cardamom and ginger powder
Pinch sea salt, to taste
PARFAIT LAYERS
1 cup fruit of choice per parfait
2-3 tbsp nut or seed crème or 1-2 tbsp nut or seed butter of choice and...
TOPPINGS: granola, bee pollen, cacao nibs, toasted nuts or seeds such as hemp
PER PARFAIT
1 cup dairy-free milk + more if needed
1 cup berries or chopped fruits such as apples, pears, oranges for serving - your choice
DIRECTIONS for CHIA BASE:
- Measure the dry ingredients into a large mason jar and mix to combine. Use as needed storing extras in a cool dry place.
DIRECTIONS FOR PARFAIT BUILDING
- For each parfait, the night before serving, spoon approx. 5 tbsp of the chia base into a 500ml mason jar and top with 1 cup non-dairy milk mixing well to ensure all the seeds are covered. You'll need to stir or shake periodically for a few minutes to prevent the seeds from clumping.
- Put on the lid and let it set in the refrigerator. The next morning, you are ready to layer as desired then add your toppings.
- If using the crème; top the chia base with 1/2 berries, then a few tbsp of the crème, 1/4 berries, another heaping spoonful of crème, the remaining berries and then your toppings. So simple, beautiful and best of all, delicious.
VEGAN NUT OR SEED BUTTER CREME
I am such a fan of this simple non-dairy crème and love to have it on hand all the time. It's great for these parfaits, as a dip for fruits, granola and porridge bowls and even as icing. Simply increase the amount made as needed. The recipe yields approximately one cup.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup nut or seed butter of choice
1/4-1/3 cup pitted dates that have been soaked to soften (reserve the soaking water as a sweetener for lattes/tea/cocktails)
Approx. 1/2 cup non-dairy milk, more if needed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom, optional
1 tbsp maca root or lucuma powder, optional
1 tbsp chia seeds, optional
Pinch sea salt
DIRECTIONS
- Measure all the ingredients but the chia seeds into a mini processor or bullet and whirl to mix. You may need to add additional liquid and whirl again if your nut or seed butter is really thick. Some are quite runny.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Transfer to a glass jar with a lid and use over the course of a week then make another batch with a different butter.
TERI'S TIPS
- Having ingredients prepped and on hand ready to use in relaxed recipes is key to staying on track with your healthy eating intentions. This is my niche and if you need help please reach out to me.
- Here is another recipe for a Caramel Date Crème that is also just divine.
- Make a chocolate version by stirring in 1 tbsp of raw cacao into the chia pudding mix and a splash of strong coffee if desired. When ready to serve layer berries, nut or seed butter, nd top with granola, more berries and cacao nibs. YUM!
Find great products at www.rawelements.ca and use Teri15 to save 15% on your order.
My fave brands are:
Health Force for the vitamin C powder, chlorella and vita-mineral greens,
Bioptimizers for digestive enzymes and probiotics,
Miski for the maca, cacao, cacao nibs, maca and moringa,
YUPIK for the nuts and seeds,
Sunwarrior for the collagen, Ormus Greens and Liquid Light,
My Matcha Life makes my fave matcha tea, Jem makes crazy good nut butters
Lavido has me hooked on the face serum, and age away night cream as well as the age away replenishing cream
I am now trying the E3LIve and BABz and enjoying them too.