Ready to try a new healthy recipe? These delicious options are developed by Nikki Dinki, a chef, author, mom, TV host and picky-eater-turned-veggie-lover! Follow her food-driven adventures and unique creations on multiple Food Network and Cooking Channel series.
Healthy Dessert Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Chia Angel Food Cake Parfait
This easy, no-bake recipe is perfect for an everyday dessert or a special occasion like Mother’s Day! (Psst: It’s easy enough for your kids or husband to make for you!)
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
- 2 cups strawberries (10 ounces), fresh or thawed from frozen
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (8 ounces)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup chia seeds (1 3/4 ounces)
1. Blend the strawberries, yogurt, milk, and honey in a blender until completely smooth. Add the chia seeds and pulse until they are just mixed in, but still whole.
2. Refrigerate until the mixture has thickened to the texture of pudding—at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
- 2 cups stemmed strawberries, fresh or frozen (10 ounces)
- Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar + more to taste
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- Juice of 1 lemon (2 tablespoons; optional)
1. If your fresh strawberries are extra-large, cut them into halves or quarters (keep frozen ones whole, even if large). In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the strawberries along with 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt, stirring to combine. Bring this mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the strawberries have broken down and most of the water has evaporated—15 to 20 minutes.
2. Turn the heat to low and use a potato masher or fork to mash the strawberry mixture until it is mostly smooth. For a completely smooth jam, blend the strawberry mixture in a food processor or blender until smooth, then transfer back to the pan over low heat.
3. Stir in the sugar, chia seeds, and lemon juice if desired and cook until the ingredients are well-incorporated and the sugar is fully dissolved—2 to 3 minutes. Carefully taste the jam (it’s hot!) and see if it needs more sugar. The recipe calls for a low amount of sugar in comparison to other jam recipes, and sometimes I do need to add an extra 1 to 2 tablespoons, depending on how sweet the fruit was to begin with.
4. Transfer the jam to a jar and allow it to cool completely before serving. It will thicken as it cools and the chia seeds will work their magic, so don’t worry if it looks a little thin.
Angel Food Cake Parfait
- 1 1/2 cups Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
- 4 tablespoons Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
- 4 cups cubed angel food cake
- 4 strawberries, sliced
- Whipped cream, for a garnish
1. Divide the Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding between two ice cream dishes or small bowls of your choice, placing 3/4 cup pudding into the bottom of each.
2. Top the pudding in each bowl with 2 tablespoons of the Strawberry Chia Seed Jam, then divide the angel food cubes between each parfait, adding about 2 cups to each bowl.
3. To serve, garnish each bowl with the sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream
Healthy Drink Recipe: Green Drinks for Morning, Noon, and Night
These easy and nutritious drink recipes will keep you energized throughout the morning and afternoon, then help you kick back and relax in the evening.
Green Juice
Makes one 12oz “juice”
- 2 cups (2 ounces) baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen green grapes
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 inches ginger root (½ ounce), peeled
- Juice of 1 lemon (2 tablespoons)
1. Blend the spinach, grapes, orange juice, ginger, and lemon juice in a blender until very smooth. Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!
Healthy Drink Recipe: All Day Matcha Latte with Matcha Ice Cubes
This healthy recipe makes 1 8-ounce Matcha Latte and 12-16 ice cubes.
Matcha Latte Ice Cubes
- 2 cups oat milk
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together oat milk and matcha powder (yes, use a whisk!) until fully combined.
2. Pour mixture into an ice cube tray, filling each compartment three-fourths of the way full. Place tray in freezer and allow to freeze completely before using.
Iced Matcha Latte
- 1 cup oat milk
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a large glass, whisk together the oat milk, matcha powder, honey, and vanilla until well combined.
2. Place 4 to 6 Matcha Latte Ice Cubes in your to-go cup, then pour the matcha latte mixture over the ice cubes. Snap the lid onto your cup and enjoy!
…And Finaly: Green Greyhound with Smoked Rosemary
This healthy recipe makes 1 large cocktail or 2 small cocktails.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 small rosemary sprig
Add the sugar and rosemary sprig to a small saucepan over medium heat along with ½ cup water. Cook until the sugar dissolves completely, stirring occasionally—about 5 minutes.
Green Greyhound with Smoked Rosemary
- 1 whole grapefruit
- ¼ cup Green Juice (any blend you like)
- ¼ cup vodka
- 2 tablespoons Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1 rosemary sprig, for a garnish
1. Cut off the end of the grapefruit, then cut a ½-inch-wide circle slice from the cut edge. Cut the slice in half crosswise to create two half circles for garnishing; set aside.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then squeeze the remaining grapefruit over the ice (this will give you about 3 ounces of grapefruit juice). Add the Green Juice, vodka, and Rosemary Simple Syrup.
3. Shake! Strain, then pour over ice into a cocktail glass, garnishing each drink with one of the grapefruit slices and the rosemary sprig. Using a lighter burn some of the rosemary leaves and leave smoking as you serve the drink.
Leave a Reply