Choccy ‘Smooth’ Delight Chia Puddings

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

1.  Blend the cocoa powder with the chia seeds and sweetener until very well mixed or pulverised (choose which you like both give good results).
2.  Add the milk and blend again until well mixed and as smooth as you require.
3.  Pour into small dishes or ramekins and chill to cool and set if liked. 
4.  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