Summer is in full swing, and it can be hard to prepare a breakfast that feels both nourishing and tasty, while still keeping cool. Enter the coconut chia parfait! Coconut water is a great treat to use in the summer time. According to Ayurveda, coconut is cooling, especially for those of us who tend toward Pitta aggravation this time of year. This recipe makes a great dessert as well as breakfast, and comes together quickly and easily, no stove or oven required!
Coconut Chia Parfait
Serves 2
¼ cup chia seed
½ cup each coconut water and milk of your choice (1 cup total. I used flax milk here, feel free to use whatever you like. If you want your parfait lighter, use all coconut water; if you want it creamier use all milk)
2-3 brown dates, pitted, finely chopped
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon dried coconut chips or shredded dried coconut
Fruit of your choice (if using larger fruit like cherries or strawberries, chop it. If using smaller berries like raspberries or blueberries, it’s okay to leave them whole)
Granola or chopped nuts
Instructions:
- Place chia seeds in a deep bowl. Add chopped dates, seeds and dried coconut.
- Pour coconut water and milk over contents of the bowl and stir well. You want it smooth, no lumps, so make sure you stir it carefully. Cover and leave the bowl on the countertop or in the refrigerator.
- Leave mix for 15 minutes minimum, to plumpen. Stir occasionally. If pudding is too thin, add chia sparingly; if it’s too thick, add liquid, one tablespoon at a time.
(This is a great place to pause if you’re making this recipe for a day ahead. When you’re ready to assemble the parfait, remove from fridge, stir, add a bit of coconut water or milk to thin it out if necessary, and continue with recipe.)
- To assemble parfait, use a container that will show the layers well: something long and see-through. Start with a layer of granola at the bottom, then add a layer of fruit, and then spoon over a layer of chia pudding. Repeat: granola, fruit, pudding. Top with a bit of fruit and sprinkle with granola, or extra coconut. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Notes & Variations:
- Adding chopped dates, seeds and coconut will give your pudding a nice bit of texture. If you’re looking for something smoother, omit seeds and coconut, and blend water/milk mix with dates until smooth.
- You get to decide how sweet you want your pudding to be. If you don’t want to let the sweetness of the fruit and granola shine, omit dates. If you want a little extra sweetness in your pudding, add another chopped date.
- Sweet, juicy fruits are wonderful choices to use during the summer, as they help keep cool: berries, peaches, and cherries are all great. Mango is yummy too, though it can be warming.
- For a little extra something flavor-wise, and additional cooling, add a sprinkle of rosewater to milk and coconut water before pouring over chia seeds. Delicate but prominent, a little goes a long way, and the flavor is fascinating and delicious.
Written by Jessica Young, a Yoga Green Book team member
Comment below!!
What is your go-to quick and easy breakfast?
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