Add a Little Spice to Your Life!
Do you love to cook?
Do you like to try new flavors and recipes? Or maybe you are in a cooking rut and don’t know how to start expanding your cooking repertoire. Let us help you get spicy in the kitchen. Your kit includes a pre-measured packet of chia seeds and a few recipes.
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds are small round seeds that can be black, brown or white in color. They are harvested from a flowering plant in the mint family known as Salvia hispanica which is native to parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Edible chia seeds are closely related to the chia plants made popular by Chia Pets, but they are not the same seed.
What are the health benefits of chia seeds?
Chia seeds are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants including caffeic acid and quercetin. One serving of chia seeds, which is 2 tablespoons or 1 ounce, contains approximately 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, 7 grams of unsaturated fat, 18% RDA for calcium, and trace minerals including zinc and copper. Chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega–3 fatty acids as well as a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Please note that eating too many chia seeds at once can lead to bloating and discomfort because of the high fiber content. Also, dry chia seeds can get stuck in your throat posing a choking hazard. To avoid this risk, soak the seeds 5 to 10 minutes before use.
Easy ways to add chia seeds to your diet.
Chia seeds have a mild flavor so they can easily be incorporated into many dishes. Add a tablespoon or two to your favorite smoothie. Sprinkle some chia seeds on top of a salad, soup, or oatmeal. Mix chia seeds with breadcrumbs for breading of chicken, fish or meat. Also, chia seeds have a significant concentration of mucilage which is a natural substance that helps plants retain water. This makes it easy for chia seeds to act as a binder and/or a thickener when combined with moisture. Mix them into dressing and note that the longer the dressing sits, the thicker it will become. Cook them in a jam or fruit sauce to add thickness without additional flavor. To make a vegan replacement for eggs, combine 1 tbsp of chia seeds with 2 . tbsp of water, stir and rest for 5 minutes to thicken. Use the mixture in recipes for cookies, waffles, bread, and more. Chia seed pudding is one of the most popular ways to eat chia seeds.
Need more inspiration?
You can watch a six-part Great Courses class called The Everyday Gourmet: Essential Secrets of Spices in Cooking for free with your library card by using a Hoopla Great Courses BingePass or streaming on Kanopy.
