Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

I've been on a chia seed kick lately and had to make some pudding. This was my first time making it. I checked out several different recipes and made up my own from them to suit my tastes. It was super easy to prepare and tastes delicious.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups plain almond milk
1/2 cup chia seed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 packets stevia
cinnamon powder (if desired)
unsweetened shredded coconut (if desired)

Directions:

1. Put almond milk, chia seed, vanilla extract, and stevia in a shaker cup and shake until thoroughly mixed.

2. Pour into a large bowl or keep in the shaker cup and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

3. Pour into individual serving bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon and shredded coconut.

Recipe by: Rachael Ebner

Cherries with Ricotta and Toasted Almonds

Warm cherries topped with luscious ricotta cheese and toasted almonds makes for a rich-tasting — yet calorie-conscious — treat.

Servings: 1

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup frozen pitted cherries

2 Tablespoons part-skim ricotta

1 Tablespoon toasted, slivered almonds

Directions:

Heat cherries in the microwave on High until warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Top the cherries with ricotta and almonds.

This recipe is from EatingWell.com.

Strawberry Cheesecake

Sliced strawberries over protein-enriched cheesecake in a graham cracker crust

Servings: 8

Preparation Time: 3 hours

Ingredients:

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

3 Tbsp Splenda granular

12 oz fat-free cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1 cup egg substitute

1 Ready Crust reduced-fat graham cracker crust

½ cup fat-free sour cream

2 tsp sugar substitute

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions:

1.       

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.       Spoon cottage cheese into blender and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add vanilla extract and Splenda; blend for about 15 more seconds.

3.       Add the softened cream cheese and blend for about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed. While blending, gradually add the egg substitute and continue to blend until smooth, about 45 seconds.

4.       Pour cheese filling into Ready Crust and bake until set, about 35 minutes.

5.       Remove cheesecake from oven and cool for about 15 minutes. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

6.       Prior to serving, in a small mixing bowl, combine sour cream and sugar substitute.

Slice cheesecake into 8 portions, top with sliced strawberries and sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

From Bill Phillips' Eating for Life.

Broiled Mango

Broiling fruit brings out its inherent sweetness. A squeeze of tart lime juice balances it out. Try this technique with pineapple as well.

Servings: 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients: 

1 mango, peeled and sliced
Lime wedges

Directions:

1. Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil.
2. Arrange mango slices in a single layer in the prepared pan. Broil until browned in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Squeeze lime wedges over the broiled mango and serve.

This very simple, yet delicious recipe comes from EatingWell.com.