This Sunday ‘Rejoice wellness’ presents to you guilt-free dessert recipe…

Vegan Chocolate Chia seed pudding

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups water
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• 6 large desseded dates
• ⅔ cup raw cashews (soaked in water for 2 to 4 hours, then drained)
• ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Optional toppings

• Fresh fruit: berries, sliced bananas, chopped pineapple, etc.
• Sprinkle of toasted coconut, chopped walnuts, chopped almonds, cinnamon, etc.

Instructions

1. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the water and chia seeds. Set aside until the mixture forms a gel, about 20 minutes.
2. If your dates aren’t soft and plump, place them in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Set aside for up to 20 minutes, or until the chia seeds are ready. Drain.
3. Pit the dates. In a blender, combine the pitted dates with the cashews, cinnamon, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.
4. Pour in half or more of the chia gel. Puree until smooth. [If pudding gets warm in the process, then chill it until cool.]
5. Serve individual portions of pudding with any remaining chia gel swirled in. Top with any garnishes like fresh fruits/ chopped walnuts/ chopped almonds/ toasted coconut/ cinnamon, etc. as you’d like.
6. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.