5 Reasons and Benefits of Using Chia Seeds in The Kitchen
3 minutes
Chia seeds are gaining more and more popularity in the kitchen, and this is mainly because of its great benefits. It helps in baking and cooking and will do wonder for your health. See 5 interesting reasons why chia seeds should be in your pantry too.
5 reasons and benefits of using chia seeds in the kitchen
Chia seeds are still a little bit unknown in the kitchen. However, they are so versatile and have many health benefits.
Having a jar or bag in your pantry is always a good idea.
You will understand better why, after reading the benefits and reasons below:
1) Rich in fiber
2) For its texture
When chia seeds are added to a liquid, they absorb it and become gelatinous. By the same token, it also has a thickening power. This can be very useful in several recipes. As an example to make a gelatin-free and therefore vegan pudding, see this delicious recipe. It's also fantastic to add to a jam! This allows you to quickly make a good homemade jam that does not require gelling agents. Try it!
3) To replace eggs
Its “sticky” texture is also very useful for replacing eggs in recipes. They can help transform a recipe into a vegan version! To replace an egg, all you have to do is swell 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water. It takes about 5 minutes to inflate and get a binder mixture for your recipes. You can use this mixture in pastries, hamburger patties, pancakes, etc.
*However, if your recipe contains more than 3 eggs, this trick may not work.
4) Good source of omega-3 and protein
Chia seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3 and protein. For omega-3, they contain 15 to 17%. For proteins, it's more around 23%. They also add vitamin B9, calcium, and antioxidants to your diet.
5) Easy to add to any meal
The last reason to convince you to use chia seeds in cooking is that they are so easy to add to any meal. They have no particular taste and, therefore, can go as well in a savoury recipe as in a sweet one. You can add it to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack or dessert.
Here are some examples where you can put chia seeds:
• As a salad garnish
• In a smoothie
• In a cake, muffin or other pastries
• In your cereals
• In your yogurt or oatmeal
• In a sauce
• In a vinaigrette
• In a jam
You can literally add them to almost any of your recipes, and you won't even notice their presence. A very interesting health food to add to your pantry!
See other recipes using chia seeds:
Double Chocolate Pudding
Carrot Cake Hot Cereal
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
Açai Yogurt Bark
By Priscilia Vaillancourt
Writter at RAW Nutritional
Chia seeds are still a little bit unknown in the kitchen. However, they are so versatile and have many health benefits.
Having a jar or bag in your pantry is always a good idea.
You will understand better why, after reading the benefits and reasons below:
1) Rich in fiber
Chia seeds are a high-fiber food. They are then very good for digestion; They promote intestinal transit. It also means that by adding them to lunch, dinner, snack or dessert, they make them more filling. You will probably be less hungry in the hours after your meal!
2) For its texture
When chia seeds are added to a liquid, they absorb it and become gelatinous. By the same token, it also has a thickening power. This can be very useful in several recipes. As an example to make a gelatin-free and therefore vegan pudding, see this delicious recipe. It's also fantastic to add to a jam! This allows you to quickly make a good homemade jam that does not require gelling agents. Try it!
3) To replace eggs
Its “sticky” texture is also very useful for replacing eggs in recipes. They can help transform a recipe into a vegan version! To replace an egg, all you have to do is swell 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water. It takes about 5 minutes to inflate and get a binder mixture for your recipes. You can use this mixture in pastries, hamburger patties, pancakes, etc.
*However, if your recipe contains more than 3 eggs, this trick may not work.
4) Good source of omega-3 and protein
Chia seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3 and protein. For omega-3, they contain 15 to 17%. For proteins, it's more around 23%. They also add vitamin B9, calcium, and antioxidants to your diet.
5) Easy to add to any meal
The last reason to convince you to use chia seeds in cooking is that they are so easy to add to any meal. They have no particular taste and, therefore, can go as well in a savoury recipe as in a sweet one. You can add it to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack or dessert.
Here are some examples where you can put chia seeds:
• As a salad garnish
• In a smoothie
• In a cake, muffin or other pastries
• In your cereals
• In your yogurt or oatmeal
• In a sauce
• In a vinaigrette
• In a jam
You can literally add them to almost any of your recipes, and you won't even notice their presence. A very interesting health food to add to your pantry!
See other recipes using chia seeds:
Double Chocolate Pudding
Carrot Cake Hot Cereal
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
Açai Yogurt Bark
By Priscilia Vaillancourt
Writter at RAW Nutritional
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