Recipe ReDux: Citrus Chia Pudding

A Spirited ReDux: From plain Jane vanilla extract to fancy-pants elderflower liqueur, we like to keep a little liquor in the kitchen. Show us how you like to cook, bake or mix-it-up with spirits, extracts and other alcohols. A splash of vodka makes summer sauces shine – and liqueurs brighten desserts: What’s your healthy recipe with spirit?

I’m about 1/3 of the way through with moving to a neighboring state right now, so all my kitchen utensils, ingredients, etc. are partially here and partially there. I’ve actually been surviving on fruit, smoothies, free lunches from orientation (+ leftovers from said orientation lunches), and protein bars for the past 1.5 weeks, because…not only am I in the middle of a move–I also happened to lose my wallet somewhere in the mess, so I have no credit cards/debit cards to speak of (they’re in transit, I hope)! Yayyy… My new location actually has my bank in the state! There’s only 1 branch (which is still an improvement from none), but it’s 5 hours away, so clearly, I’m not going there. Life has been interesting.

Before all of this happened, I had these grand aspirations to unearth the super awesome vanilla extract I obtained from my medical service trip to the Dominican Republic, but that’s…somewhere in the basement(?) at the moment. (Using the shaoxing cooking wine I managed to find at the local(!) Asian market was also a thought, but I’m not sure that counts as a liquor since it’s wine? …Can you tell that I don’t drink?)

Anyway, this is what I came up with yesterday night when I finally got back to location #1. This is more on the tart side of the spectrum, so feel free to sweeten with honey, agave nectar, maple syrup…whatever your choice of sweetener happens to be! :]

Citrus Chia Pudding

Ingredients:
-1/4 cup chia seeds
-2/3 cup orange juice
-1/2 tsp orange extract
-1/2 tsp pineapple extract
-fresh or frozen fruit, diced (optional; I used cherries + blueberries)

Instructions:
1) Pour chia seeds into a cup or bowl.
2) Stir together the orange juice, orange and pineapple extracts. Pour over chia seeds and stir well. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least wait for it to soak for ~30 minutes!).
3) Top with fruit and mix!

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As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!

(Please note that this is a closed link-up for Recipe ReDux Contest entries only. Any links added to this collection for non-ReDux posts will be deleted.)

Tropical Acai Bowl

My mom took advantage of the cold of winter to send me unsweetened Sambazon Acai smoothie packs, so they wouldn’t melt en route! I’m makin’ use of em’ now! :D The blackberries are still somewhat frozen, hence the frosted-over look, haha.

Tropical Acai Bowl

 

Ingredients:
-1 Sambazon unsweetened acai smoothie pack
-1/4 cup coconut water (or enough to blend)
-1/2 cup frozen strawberries, pineapples, mangoes, blackberries
-1 tsp sweetened coconut flakes
-1/4 cup KIND Dark Chocolate & Cranberry Clusters granola

Instructions:
1) Divide frozen fruit in half and blend 1/2 with acai smoothie pack + coconut water until it reaches a sorbet-like consistency.
2) Pour into a bowl and top with fruit, coconut flakes and granola.

Recipe ReDux: Hazelnut White Bean Dip [sponsored]

I received free samples of Breton Gluten Free Original with Flax and Breton Gluten Free Herb and Garlic from Dare Foods Incorporated mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Dare Foods Incorporated and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Since Dare Foods was challenging us to make something healthy that incorporated Breton Gluten Free crackers (Original with Flax or Herb and Garlic) and I’d only used the Herb and Garlic thus far, I decided to add to the crackers and dip theme. This one’s packed with protein and healthy fats. :]

Hazelnut White Bean Dip

Ingredients:
-Breton Gluten Free Original with Flax crackers
-1/4 cup light coconut milk
-1 can great northern beans, drained + rinsed
-3/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-2 tsp orange zest
-2 tbsp orange juice
-pink himalayan salt, to taste
-freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1) Heat a large pan on the stove (medium-high heat). Once it’s hot, add a single layer of nuts. Stir frequently until nuts turn golden-brown. Remove from heat.
2) Add beans, garlic, coconut milk and nuts to food processor and process until smooth.
3) Add orange juice, orange zest, salt and pepper to the mix. Pulse until well combined.
4) Serve with Breton Gluten Free Original with Flax crackers. :]

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As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!

(Please note that this is a closed link-up for Recipe ReDux Contest entries only. Any links added to this collection for non-ReDux posts will be deleted.)

Recipe ReDux: Cucumber Greek Yogurt Dip [sponsored]

I received free samples of Breton Gluten Free Original with Flax and Breton Gluten Free Herb and Garlic from Dare Foods Incorporated mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Dare Foods Incorporated and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, so it’s only fitting that Dare Foods is challenging Recipe ReDux members to create gluten-free recipes using Breton Gluten Free crackers (Original with Flax + Herb & Garlic)!

I have two friends in school with celiac disease, so whenever we gather for potlucks, I like trying to make something that they’ll be able to enjoy as well. [It’s pretty depressing to attend a food event only to realize that you can’t eat anything on the table. :/ ]

As medical students (or really, anyone in general), I feel that time is something we will never, ever have enough of, so my main priorities with any kind of food-prepping tends to involve the following thought process:

1) Is it simple and uncomplicated?
2) Does it require a whole lot of ingredients? (Or would it call for expensive ingredients?)
3) Does it take a long time to make?
4) Does it taste good and is it reasonably healthy?

If it’s simple, inexpensive, healthy, and quick, I know I can proceed. These crackers are light and crisp with a nutty flavor, so I figured making some kind of a dip to go along with it would work well! This recipe is probably as easy as it gets, is packed with a whole ton of protein, and would be a great crowd-pleaser for any kind of food gathering! :]

Cucumber Greek Yogurt Dip

Ingredients:
-Breton Gluten Free Herb & Garlic crackers
-2 cups Fage 0% Greek yogurt
-1/2 large English cucumber, diced
-1 tsp cumin
-1 tsp onion powder
-4 cloves garlic, minced (roasted garlic would also be great)
-pink Himalayan salt, to taste
-freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1) Mix everything together until well combined.
2) Serve with Breton Gluten Free Herb & Garlic crackers.

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As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!

(Please note that this is a closed link-up for Recipe ReDux Contest entries only. Any links added to this collection for non-ReDux posts will be deleted.)

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Protein Balls

I happened to have all the ingredients to make this last weekend, so here we are! Recipe was taken from here! This made me 10 protein balls (only 8 are pictured because the plate couldn’t fit any more). I took the picture right after I scooped em’ onto the plate because I figured I’d likely forget to in the morning. :O

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Protein Balls

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup oatmeal
-1/4 cup almond butter
-1/3 cup pumpkin puree
-1 scoop Designer Whey vanilla protein powder
-1 handful cinnamon chips

Instructions:
1) Mix everything together and form into little balls.
2) Chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight)!