I have been making a chocolate pudding for years now called ‘Smooth Chocolate Dream’ from the original ‘Return to Slender’ book (see details here) since it is so popular as a dessert but also great for recommending to those in the early stages of post-op. It is a simple to make recipe but does require some cooking, cooling and chilling. I couldn’t help but think there must be something a tad easier … and I have tried a few short-cuts and other options which have featured here and on social media from time to time. Now I think I have another that will be popular and will equally stand the taste and time test.
It’s a chocolate one again but this time relies upon chia seeds to thicken the mixture. Now I know some don’t like the texture of chia seeds after soaking (like in overnight oats) but if you pulverise them in a high-speed powerful blender before mixing with the other ingredients in this recipe you can get a much smoother finish if this bothers you. I have tried both ways, pulverised and not and like both and can assure you it works well whichever you choose. The latter just gives a smoother tasting end result.
I pulverised alone for about 3 minutes on high speed in a blender until powder-like, but equally I also tried pulverising the seeds with the cocoa and sweetener in the same way and got an equally good result. When then blended with milk it gave a great outcome.
I like to chill to serve so that it thickens and somewhat sets – but you can chill until cold and then serve at room temperature so that it is more softly set. This is a recipe to suit you and your likes and dislikes.
I also tried flavouring with a little coffee and also peppermint essence to make a mocha type and mint version, and also added grated orange zest to make a choc orange variation (very good). Served plain, with fruit or a bit of yogurt I think it makes a great dessert, treat or even breakfast dish (for early post-oppers).
Whilst testing this I also came across some great guilt-free snack and topping additions which I used. They are called Chocolate Protein Bites by Nutrilicious (see details below). They are basically protein bites of toasted and chocolate coated pumpkin seeds. I used them as a topping but can vouch that they are great also stirred into the softly-set room temperature version where they give a great bit of chocolately crunch. They also offer much needed protein in a reduced sugar form with additional fibre, and you don’t need many to make a big difference – a teaspoon does it for me. There are 3 chocolate flavours and a savoury one (which I am itching to try in a lunchbox idea – more later). Scroll on under the recipe for a few more details …
CHOCCY DELIGHT CHIA PUDDINGS
Ingredients
METRIC/US
3 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
45 g/¼ cup chia seeds (pulverised if liked, see intro)
1 tbsp granulated sweetener (I used Natvia)
250 ml/1 cup semi-skimmed milk (or other milk of your liking)
Method
- Blend the cocoa powder with the chia seeds and sweetener until very well mixed or pulverised (choose which you like both give good results).
- Add the milk and blend again until well mixed and as smooth as you require.
- Pour into small dishes or ramekins and chill to cool and set if liked.
- Eat chilled or at room temperature plain, topped with fruit, fat-free Greek yogurt or with chocolate protein bites sprinkled on top or stirred throughout. You will only need about 1 tsp.
MAKES: 4 small WLS portions
WLS PORTION: 1
CALORIES PER PORTION (plain without topping): 96
PROTEIN: 6.1 g
CARBOHYDRATE: 7.5 g
FAT: 5.3 g
NUTRILICIOUS CHOCOLATE PROTEIN BITES – come in 3 chocolate varieties – Belgian Dark Chocolate, Belgian Milk Chocolate, Belgian White Chocolate. There is also a savoury Spicy one too. This is not a paid for ad (I just like them) and more information can be found on https://www.amazon.co.uk/nutrilicious
Recipe and Images copyright © Bariatric Cookery (UK) LTD