Do you remember that scene in Pretty Woman where Richard Gere’s character takes Julia Roberts’ charater to the opera and tells her that people either love the opera immediately or they learn to appreciate it? Well, that’s how I feel about matcha.

When I was a little, my family would go out for sushi at least a few times a month. I had a pretty well-developed palate for a kid and loved everything from fish eggs to octopus, but my favorite part of the meal was most definitely the green tea ice cream. I always savored every spoonful, and as I've gotten older, I've only grown fonder of the unusual combination of sweet, creamy, and slightly bitter notes of green tea ice cream!

I created this chia seed porridge to capture those same unique flavors in an easy-to-make, healthy breakfast. The creamy coconut milk gives it a richness, while the flax seeds and toasted hazelnuts add a bit of crunch. And, of course, the fragrant matcha powder adds that strangely alluring touch of bitterness that wakes up your taste buds with every single bite!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup of full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/8 cup of chia seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon of finely ground matcha powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla paste
  • 1/4 cup of hazelnuts, chopped
  • coconut oil
  • flax seeds (optional)
  • honey (substitute steevia or raw sugar if vegan)
  • cinnamon

Directions

First, mix the coconut milk, almond milk, and chia seeds in a small mixing bowl. Set aside for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While the mixture is thickening, toast the chopped hazelnuts in a little bit of coconut oil over medium to high heat in a skillet for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Once they start to become fragrant and slightly golden, remove from heat and set aside.

Transfer thickened chia seed mixture to a small saucepan and heat gently on low heat for 3-5 minutes while stirring constantly. As it begins to thicken, add vanilla paste and sweetener to taste (if using honey, use 1-3 teaspoons depending on your sweetness preference). Once mixture has thickened, turn off heat and add matcha powder and stir until well combined.

Pour chia porridge into a serving dish, top with toasted hazelnuts, flax seeds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and enjoy!

Serves 1.

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