CHERRY CHIA PUDS WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Sometimes you want something sweet but you don’t want to feel guilty about eating it. In steps my cherry chia puds with chocolate ganache. Reminiscent of cherry ripe bars bursting with cherries, coconut and chocolate but without the heavy load of sugar and artificial nasties. 
Whether it be for dessert, a snack or even breakfast there is nothing more summery and bursting with flavour than this pudding.

1 cup Cherries, fresh or frozen, pitted
400 ml full fat Coconut Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
¼ cup Maple Syrup
200 ml Water
1 cup Chia Seeds
½ cup Desiccated Coconut
1 cup Cherries, extra, pitted and cut in half

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

50 grams dairy free Chocolate
3/4 cup full fat Coconut Milk (tinned variety)

DECORATION

fresh Cherries preferably with stems
Flaked Coconut, toasted (optional)

METHOD – CHERRY CHIA PUDS

Put 1 cup cherries, coconut milk, vanilla, maple syrup and water into food processor and blend till cherries are pureed.

Add chia, desiccated coconut and extra cherries and whisk with a fork. Put aside for 2 minutes whisk again. Pour into large bowl, cover and put in refrigerator to thicken for at least 1 hour or overnight. In the meantime make the ganache.

METHOD – GANACHE

Put chocolate and coconut milk in a small saucepan over a medium heat and stir until chocolate has melted and mixture is combined and smooth.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

TO ASSEMBLE

Divide cherry chia evenly amongst glasses.

Spoon ganache over the cherry chia and smooth the top.

Put stemmed cherry on top.  Sprinkle with flaked coconut if desired.

Return to refrigerator for minimum of 30 minutes or until needed.

SERVES 2 – 4