Dragon Fruit Chia Pudding

goji berries, coconut yogurt, homemade granola, berries

(Serves 4)

NOTE ABOUT THE DISH: Being a chef made me a better dad, and becoming a dad made me a better chef. Chefs can make a good parent because we are used to babysitting, and we should have already learned to be patient. We are also good at taking care of people: feeding them, bandaging their wounds. Becoming a dad has made me a better chef because I really care about the quality of nutrients in my meals, and this is one of those meals. Chia is actually the Mayan word for strength, and I want my son to grow up both strong and healthy. You could say that I’ve turned him into a little chia monster.

For the Granola (makes 8 cups)

  • Rolled oats- 2 cups

  • Rye flakes– 2 cups

  • Black sesame seeds- 1/3cup

  • Natural almonds – 3/4 cup

  • Pumpkin seeds- ¾ cup

  • Sunflower seeds- 1 cup

  • 1 ea. vanilla bean scraped

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • Nutmeg- pinch

  • Maple syrup – 1 ¼ cup

  • Avocado oil – 1/2 cup

  • Brown Sugar 3/4 cup

Method:

  1. Heat the oven to 350F

  2. Mix seeds, oats, flakes, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and whisk to mix well. 

  3. Combine oil maple syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.

  4. Pour mixture over seed and oat mixture and combine until well coated and spread out onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

  5. Bake in a 350 F oven for 20 minutes, stir and bake an additional 10 minutes, stir until brown fragrant and dry 15-20 minutes. Stir again when it comes out and set aside to cool, until ready to assemble.

For the Dragon Fruit Chia (Yields 4 cups)

  • Chia seeds – 1/2 cup

  • Almond milk – 2 cups

  • Maple syrup – 4 tsp

  • Vanilla paste – 1 tsp

  • Dragon fruit puree – 2 tablespoons

Method:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to mix well.

  2. Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to bloom overnight.

For the Plate up

  • Prepared Granola – ½ cup

  • Prepared Dragon Fruit Chia – 1 cup

  • Goji berries – 2 tablespoons

  • Coconut yogurt – 3 tablespoons

  • Lavender honey – 1 tsp drizzle

  • Mint – 2 sprigs

  • Berries, assorted – 2 ounces

Method:

  1. Place prepared dragon fruit chia in a bowl, and top with the prepared granola and coconut yogurt.

  2. Sprinkle with goji berries, chia seeds, and almonds. Drizzle with honey. And garnish with mint and berries.