Spiced Mango & Chia Pots

These are one of my favourite desserts now. To be honest thought it doesn't have to be dessert, it can be breakfast or a snack, there is nothing bad in it - just goodness!!

The bottom layer of chia, almond milk and cardamon have an authentic Indian feel to it and tastes like a kulfi (Indian ice cream) but it's actually good for you and contain healthy fats and proteins. The top layer is just some mango, yoghurt (full of probiotics) and a little bit of saffron and turmeric. Nothing nasty just simple ingredients that are good for you - food can be medicine if you are eating the right kind of food and just because it's good for you doe not mean it's going to taste bad ... This is a great example.

Spices and herbs are such an important part of cooking as not only do they enhance the flavour but they have healing qualities of their own. Saffron has shown to have anti depressive qualities and rival prescription medication in studies that have been done. Cardamon has a host of benefits from gastrointestinal protection, cholesterol control, help with cardiovascular issues and circulation. Turmeric, I could write a paper on its benefits and I just might!! You have got to get them in when you can and use them in cooking for enhancing flavour and health!

Method:

1- Add one tablespoon of chia seeds at the bottom of each glass. Crush the inside seeds of  2 cardamon and add it to this. Then add 3 tablespoons of almond milk of your choice and mix. Let it set for about 20 minutes until it has a 'pudding' consistency. You can add some more almond milk if you feel it needs it.

2- Make a mixture of mango and yoghurt - double the amount of mango to the yoghurt and blend them together in a blender with a pinch of turmeric and a few saffron strands until you have a smooth consistency.I tend do you a cup of mango and 1/2 a cup of yoghurt for 2 servings/ glasses.

3- Top this over the chai seeds once they have set.

4- Finely chop some almond and sprinkle this on top.

Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

Note that I don't add any extra sweetness, I find that the mango is enough for me. However if you like you can add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the chia mix if you want it sweeter.