The best part about using chia seeds is that these have a neutral taste—leaving much room for creativity. Looking for some sweet indulgence with the inclusion of these nutritious seeds? You’ve got tons of recipes to choose from!
Or are you more inclined towards trying the savory side of cooking with chia? Let’s see how we can incorporate these with salty and spicy meals!
Table of Contents
Overnight Savory Oatmeal
Sweet, berry-enriched, or chocolaty oatmeal is old news. While really delicious, these sweet overnight oats recipes can get a tad boring when you seem to have these every other day. Looking to switch things up?
Combine rolled oats and chia seeds with milk and yogurt. Add a dash of salt to prep the oats with some savory goodness. Make sure the jar is sealed well, and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
Now you can’t eat this straightaway in the morning, but the next few steps will take you 10 minutes or so to have your savory oats ready. Warm up a skillet, set to medium heat, and all kale (make sure the pan is dry). Cook the kale for a few minutes till it is slightly charred. Add some water and miso paste, and mix till the paste coats the kale well. Meanwhile, boil an egg, taking it out when it reaches the soft-boiled stage.
Add your overnight oats to your serving bowl. Spread the miso-kale mixture over it, layer sliced soft-boiled egg and sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro. For people who love oatmeal but like to steer clear of anything sweet in the morning this is a wholesome recipe with chia seeds, containing a healthy dose of both macro and micronutrients to start your day on a great note!
Chickpea Salad With Chia Dressing
Salads are the best savory way to have chia seeds. And while you can add chia seeds to any salad recipe as a garnish, complementing taste and texture is much more ideal. Therefore, avoid adding chia seeds to any salad that already has crispy and crunchy toppings.
If you want a salad that you can take to the next level with chia seeds, go for a chickpea salad with a mix of fruits and veggies, with varying textures and a balanced taste profile.
Take a large mixing bowl, and add freshly boiled or canned chickpeas, followed by apples, sweet potatoes, red cabbage, avocado, and almonds. Make a dressing out of olive oil, honey (or agave), and lemon juice, plus chia seeds. Season the salad with salt and pepper, toss well, and then add the dressing.
It’s an easy, comprising the ingredients you can easily find in your home. You can alternate whatever’s missing with similar texture and flavor. All in all, the textures are superbly balanced, the dressing is both tart and unique thanks to chia seeds, and you’ve got a filling side with a light meal you can put together in less than 15 minutes!
Vegetable Power Soup
Chia seeds naturally thicken and become gel-like when you soak them in water or milk. It’s the reason behind that signature creamy texture you get in overnight oats. That is why it’s easy to transform your cliche overnight oats recipe into an interesting multi-texture dessert!
It’s also the reason why chia seeds are secretly perfect for soups! If you want a soup that gives you a range of texture in every sip and bite, consider chia seeds.
Here’s an easy, vegan-friendly recipe for you to try. Soak chia seeds in water, and prepare a base of onions sautéed in butter, and stock made with salt, pepper, and nutmeg powder. You can add pumpkins, carrots or any other mild vegetable you like. Let these become soft by cooking with the lid closed.
Blend the mixture till smooth, bring back to the stove, and combine with vegetable stock and chia seeds. Turn off the heat once the thickness is to your liking and add coconut milk. The chia seeds in this recipe help thicken the soup due to the gelatinous quality, as well as also add a unique texture…and a whole lot of nutrition!
Why Opt For Chia Seeds In Meals?
Why go for chia seeds in these recipes? There’s more to chia seeds besides the crunchy or gel-like texture to add depth to your meals. Chia seeds are brimming with nutrition, the best of which are:
Excellent source of fiber…
The fiber content in chia seeds is top-notch. If you like to have a good dose of fiber-rich stuff within tasty meals to get your fill of fiber—or because you’re not regular about fibrous foods otherwise—chia seeds are the perfect way to fulfill much of your daily average fiber requirement.
Great for the heart…
Since chia seeds improve gut health, these tiny little marble-like seeds also promote heart health. Following a strict diet can be burdensome for people with heart disease, which can take some fun out of meals that are good for maintaining cholesterol levels. Chia seeds add a unique texture to your meals to make these more interesting!
Aid weight loss & fitness goals…
Chia seeds usually make it into a meal guide for weight loss, but why? It’s not that chia seeds actually burn fat, but rather aid other functions of the body burn fat.
The first trait that stands out is chia seeds’ fiber-rich content. The more fiber for your gut, the better your digestion process, nutrient absorption, and fat deposition. Chia seeds also have the ability to soak moisture and increase in size, creating that feeling of fullness that helps you follow portion control and feel satiated for longer periods of time.
Chia Seeds: Healthy & Yummy Additions to Everyday Meals!
Garnish with it, mix it in as a thickener, or let it sit overnight to increase volume—chia seeds are a versatile ingredient indeed! If you are looking to make just one addition to your diet that is easy to incorporate in breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, as is rich with nutrients, chia seeds are the way to go!
