And one for all!

From the Redux team:  We’re all about cooking once and eating twice. In short, double dinners are better. Show us how you take a favorite recipe already on your blog – and ReDux the leftovers into a new dish. Or, whip up a new healthy recipe and give suggestions on how to make it a second meal. For example, slow cooker pot roast could become shredded beef tacos; or grilled chicken breasts might morph into chicken salad.

Rather than stretching a dinner, I set my sights on dessert.  Who’s surprised there?!

I am a big rice pudding fan, so my Chia “Rice” Pudding is one of my favorite treats.  This chia pudding is a quicker (tastier!) spin on rice pudding.  Chia seeds replace rice for a pudding that is still chewy, creamy, and sweet.  And since chia seeds are a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, this is pretty darn healthy for a yummy dessert.

Sadly, my husband is brave enough for chia seeds, but can’t stand good, old rice pudding, so I usually am enjoying the dish by myself.  For this challenge, I morphed the unwanted 2nd serving of the pudding into a quick and yummy cookie flavored smoothie that is packed with fiber.  The smoothie got rave reviews; ironically, my husband said it’s the best smoothie I’ve ever made!  It really does taste just like a liquefied oatmeal cookie.

Chia “Rice” Pudding

Servings: 2; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes

• 1.5 cups skim milk
• 3 Tbsp chia seeds
• 3 Tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk chia seeds into milk and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
3. Meanwhile, beat the egg in medium bowl.
4. Whisk brown sugar into milk mixture.
5. Slowly stream half of the milk mixture into the egg, whisking constantly so the egg doesn’t begin to cook.
6. Whisk the egg mixture back into the pan and continue to simmer, whisking constantly, for another 2 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins.

The pudding does not need to thicken or set so it can be served immediately.

And the next day – – –

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

Servings: 1; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Hands-On Time: 3 minutes

• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• heaping 1/2 cup leftover chia rice pudding
• small frozen banana
• (optional) 2 Tbsp maple syrup or 2 pitted medjool dates

1. Place oats and milk in your blender and let sit until softened, 3 – 5 minutes.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

I recommend trying it without the optional sweetener first and blending that in later at the end if you decide it’s needed.

How do you feel about leftovers?  Love the convenience or hate the thought of a dinner repeat?