Chia Fresca
- Minutes to Prepare:
- Number of Servings: 1
Ingredients
12 oz cold, fresh drinking water1 large lemon (it should produce about 3 tablespoons of juice)2 teaspoons sugar or sweetener of choice (see below for details)one teaspoon fresh chia seed
Preparing the Limonda (Lemon-Water): Pour the water into a either a glass or a pitcher (depending on how much you are making.) Roll each lemon while pressing firmly, on a sturdy surface such as a counter. Rolling them like this for about ten seconds, will help loosen up the juices inside. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. You want about three tablespoons of lemon juice for a single 12 oz. glass, but of course add more or less juice to taste. Stir in the sugar or add sweetener to taste.
Sweeteners: If using granulated sugar or piloncillo, you may want to dissolve it in boiling water first to make a simple syrup otherwise it will take a while for it to dissolve in the cold water. Other sweeteners can be used such as artificial ones like Equal or Splenda, start with a small amount, such as a sprinkle and add more to taste. I find that natural Stevia drops offer the best sweetening power without the extra calories. I use 7-10 drops for a single glass, or one dropper full for a pitcher.
Adding the Chia: Once you have achieved the sweetness level you prefer, it's time to add the chia. Just stir it into the lemon water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. During this time, the seeds will absorb the water and become gelatinous. You can stir it occasionally if the seeds seem to be floating or falling to the bottom. Fresh seeds will float throughout the liquid, while older ones tend to sink to the bottom. If they sink, that is fine, you will just need to stir them up a bit to keep them evenly dispersed.
Serving the Chia Fresca: I like to add a slice or wedge of lemon to my glass for garnish. You can also slice a lemon and let the slices float on the Chia Fresca in the pitcher. You can also add ice to it to chill it, or keep it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. A sprig of mint can also be added to each glass, or whole mint leaves can be added to the top of the pitcher. Mint is very strong and can be overpowering, so it's best to add it just before serving.
Serving Size: 10 oz.
Number of Servings: 1
Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user HJANE13.
Sweeteners: If using granulated sugar or piloncillo, you may want to dissolve it in boiling water first to make a simple syrup otherwise it will take a while for it to dissolve in the cold water. Other sweeteners can be used such as artificial ones like Equal or Splenda, start with a small amount, such as a sprinkle and add more to taste. I find that natural Stevia drops offer the best sweetening power without the extra calories. I use 7-10 drops for a single glass, or one dropper full for a pitcher.
Adding the Chia: Once you have achieved the sweetness level you prefer, it's time to add the chia. Just stir it into the lemon water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. During this time, the seeds will absorb the water and become gelatinous. You can stir it occasionally if the seeds seem to be floating or falling to the bottom. Fresh seeds will float throughout the liquid, while older ones tend to sink to the bottom. If they sink, that is fine, you will just need to stir them up a bit to keep them evenly dispersed.
Serving the Chia Fresca: I like to add a slice or wedge of lemon to my glass for garnish. You can also slice a lemon and let the slices float on the Chia Fresca in the pitcher. You can also add ice to it to chill it, or keep it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. A sprig of mint can also be added to each glass, or whole mint leaves can be added to the top of the pitcher. Mint is very strong and can be overpowering, so it's best to add it just before serving.
Serving Size: 10 oz.
Number of Servings: 1
Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user HJANE13.
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 52.3
- Total Fat: 1.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 0.0 mg
- Total Carbs: 10.0 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
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