Chia Seeds Pudding Parfait

Summer is approaching fast!  Are you ready for the swimsuit season?  Honestly, I am not too looking forward to that heat, let alone showing my floppy arms and chubby thighs.  Quite frankly, I love food too much to get on a "diet", any diet!  I am not the girl who can starve herself to lose a few pounds, sorry!  Sorry is for those people around me who have to endure seeing my chubby legs and floppy arms!

On the other hand, I try to eat lighter or healthier whenever I could, especially when I am desperate to get my body somewhat ready for the summer clothes.  Key word here is "try"!  My solution?  I created this Chia Seeds Pudding Parfait for breakfast!  It's packed with yummy goodness, vitamins, protein, and fiber that I need.  It's so filling that you'll feel full and satisfy without the guilt!  Best of all, it looks as good as dessert, and I can definitely eat this as dessert too! 

It's super easy to prepare as well.  All you need is soaking the chia seeds ahead of time.  You can even do that the night before to save time.  I used almond milk in my recipe.  But you can use anything you like, soy milk, regular milk, etc.  I love the flavor of almond milk and that's what I have on hand, making this a vegan friendly recipe, too.

Check out the video tutorial below to see how I made it.

I hope you enjoyed watching my video tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my Youtube channel here.  You’ll be the first to know when I have new video tutorials published.

This is my latest favorite breakfast item.  What is yours?  I can always use more tips and ideas.  Can't wait to hear from you.


Tools and Ingredients Used:

Chia Seeds (click here for more information)
Organic Almond Milk (Click here for more information)
Tall Parfait Glasses (Click here for more information)

Strawberry Rose Milk Tea with Rainbow Boba

I love Boba Milk Tea, do you?  If you've missed my video and recipe on how to make the tradition Boba Milk Tea that I shared not too long ago, simply click here to check that out.  Today, I want to share with you a more whimsical version of this popular Asian drink, Strawberry Rose Milk Tea with Rainbow Boba!  

When I was at the market the other day getting the traditional boba to make my regular milk tea (it's dark brown in color), I spotted these beautiful rainbow color ones right next to them on the shelves.  Of course, I can't help it but to take some home.  Aren't they cute and gorgeous? 

These rainbow boba are also fast cooking ones that are ready in just 5 minutes.  They taste the same as the regular ones but a lot more pretty to look at!  I guess I might simply switch to these rainbow ones from now on!  Don't we all eat (or drink in this case) with our eyes first?  

To match the gorgeous and romantic look of these rainbow boba, I pair them with some rose tea and strawberry puree to give this drink that pink hue and refreshing flavors.  Each sip of this Strawberry Rose Milk Tea is heavenly!  You can taste the hint of rose tea and sweet and tart flavor from the strawberries.  Check out my video tutorial below to find out how to make this Strawberry Rose Milk Tea with Rainbow Boba.  You'll be amazed how simple it is to prepare!

I hope you enjoyed watching my video tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my Youtube channel here.  You’ll be the first to know when I have new video tutorials published.  What is your favorite Boba flavor?  Is it the traditional one, or an unusual/exotic one?  Please share in the comment below.  I can't wait to hear from you.  Stay tuned for more fun and easy recipes and giveaway in the near future.    

Tools and Ingredients used:

Rose Tea Buds: (Click here for more information)
Rainbow Boba: (Click here for more information)
Organic Condensed Milk: (Click here for more information)
Boba Straws: (Click here for more information)
Mason Jar Drinking Glasses: (Click here for more information)
Ninja Blender: (Click here for more information)

Mango Panna Cotta

Are you enjoying the warmer days of the Spring so far?  Well, it’s been feeling like summer already in Southern California, all winter long!  So, my mind and body have been adopted for summery treats for a while.  Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite summer time no-bake dessert, Mango Panna Cotta. 


 
In this recipe, I used the Ataulfo mangoes.  In Asia, the Ataulfo Mangos, also known as Manila Mangos or Champagne Mangos, are far more popular than the Tommy Atkins Mangos.  In fact, I didn’t even learn about the Tommy Atkins Mango until I moved to the States.  The Ataulfo mango is skinnier, with bright orange/yellowish skin and flesh as shown in my pictures on this post.  The skin is rather thin and the seed is quite flat.  The flesh from the Ataulfo mango is very tender and smooth.  It’s very refreshing, sweet and have a pleasant floral tone, which is perfect for this dessert.  On the other hand, a Tommy Atkins mango is bigger in size, overall, and the skin color is a combination of red and green, even when fully ripen.  The skin and the seed are thicker compared to Ataulfo.  Also, the flesh is more fiber-ous and firmer.  
 
 


The texture of this Mango Panna Cotta is silky soft and smooth.  It’s slightly sweetened with a perfect hint of tartness from the mango.  The vanilla bean panna cotta layer is packed with sweet aroma from the vanilla bean paste and is the perfect combination to elevate this dessert.   This Mango Panna Cotta is so elegant yet pretty easy to prepare.  If you’re hosting any summer party, be sure to “wow” your guests with this refreshing dessert.



Here’s the video tutorial on how to make it.  Please click on the Youtube video below.







I hope you enjoyed watching my video tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my Youtube channel here.  That way, you won’t miss out on any video and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new tutorial published. 
 
 
 
I hope you like today’s recipe and video.  Please stay tuned for more tutorials, easy and fun recipes in the near future.  What is your favorite no-bake summer dessert?  Please share it in the comment section below.  I always love to try new things.  Can't wait to hear from you.
 
P.S.  If you haven’t entered the $100 visa gift card giveaway on my blog, there’s still time to enter (Deadline to enter is 6/30/2015).  Click here and leave a comment on the giveaway post to enter.  Good Luck!
 
 


Tools and Ingredients used:

Libby Small Dessert Cups Set: (More information here)
Wilton Mini Muffin Pan: (More information here)
Pyrex 4 Cups Heat Proof Measuring Cup: (More information here)
Mango Nectar: (More information here)
Vanilla Bean Paste: (More information here)
Unflavored Gelatin Powder: (More information here)

Strawberry Lemonade Pops

My Kids and I love the strawberry season.  A couple of months ago, I planted some strawberry plants (those with ready to grow roots), about 10 of them.  Unfortunately, they weren’t growing the way I had hoped.  Well, pretty much they weren’t growing at all, period!  Ahem, yeah, blame that on my “black thumb”!  I always wonder what I am not doing correctly to these plants.  (Shed some light if you have any idea or tips to share)  Anyway, as a back up plan, I purchased a small strawberry plant that is already growing strong.  That way, the Kids still get to pick some fresh strawberries, every day after school.  That’s something that they always look forward to do.



Of course, the unsuccessful strawberry plants didn’t stop us from consuming strawberries…I mean, lots and lots of strawberries.  I usually buy them in multiple pounds from the market and they are all gone in no time!  Besides enjoying them fresh, slicing them to top the waffles, stuffing them in strawberry roll cakes, or layering them to make Strawberry Tiramisu, these Strawberry Lemonade Pops are one of the Kids favorite way to enjoy these sweet and tart beauties.  Want to see how we made these pops?  Check out the video tutorial below.
 



I hope you enjoyed watching my video tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my YouTube channel here.  You’ll be the first to know when I have new video tutorials published.



Super easy to make, isn’t it?  These Strawberry Lemonade Pops are so refreshing.  They are super cool treats, so much fun to make and to eat!  What are your favorite way or recipe to enjoy strawberries?  Leave a comment below to share with me.  I can’t wait to hear from you.



Props used:
5 Ounce Dixie Cups (Click here for more information)
Pop Wooden Sticks (Click here for more information)

Cafe Spice Cookbook Giveaway Winner Announcement

Thank you everyone who participated in the Café Spice Cookbook giveaway.  Special thanks to Tuttle Publishing for providing the prize.  We have selected a winner through Random.org!

The winner is Angie Schneider who said "There are so many delicious Indian foods that I love, not sure I can pick up just one favourite..but anything with coconut will be a hit in our house. A great giveaway, Amy."

Congratulations, Angie!  I’ll be in contact with you soon. 

If you didn’t win the giveaway, you can still purchase a copy of Café Spice Cookbook here.  You're going to love all the flavorful and healthy dishes!

I still have another giveaway open on the Blog.  Check out this post here on how enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! 

Thank you all for reading.  Stay tuned for more fun recipes and giveaway soon.