It’s getting closer. Valentine’s day is less than a month away.
While hubby is planning/taking care of the evening and I’m in charge of finding a baby sitter, Valentine’s day breakfast came to mind. OK, we eat out that night, but we still have to eat breakfast, lunch and snacks that day as well.
Well, I hope you’ll agree with me, Valentine’s day is all about red, flowers, chocolate and other sugar high treats.
Valentine’s day breakfast – that’s a whole different story. I could go with chocolate, no doubt about that, but a healthier breakfast might keep an inch off my waistline, at least by lunch time 
Here’s where pomegranate and chia seed come into the picture.
The pomegranate is a round fruit the size of a large orange with a protruding crown and smooth, leathery skin that can range from red to yellowish pink. Each fruit contains hundreds of ruby-colored seeds that are individually encased in a translucent, red, juicy pulp that is sweet to tart. The seeds are packed into compartments that are separated by cream-colored, bitter-tasting membranes. Both the seeds and pulp are edible.
Fruits should be heavy for their size and plump, as if bursting, with a slightly soft crown and shiny skin. The fruit can be refrigerated for up to 2 months or stored in a cool, dark place for about a month. The pomegranate is rather labor-intensive to eat. After the skin has been peeled, the seeds can be removed individually, or the fruit can be cut in half and the seeds scooped away from the membrane with a spoon. The seeds also can be used as a garnish for desserts and in salads or pressed
to make a refreshing drink. Used as a spice in northern India, dried pomegranate can be substituted for raisins in cakes. Grenadine, a light syrup made from pomegranates, is used as a flavoring in
cocktails, soft drinks, and confections. Pomegranate molasses is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.
*source Encyclopedia of foods
Chia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala.The 16th century Codex Mendoza provides evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times; it has been said that it was an important crop.It is still used in Mexico and Guatemala, with the seeds sometimes ground, while whole seeds are used for nutritious drinks and as a food source.
Chia is grown commercially for its seed, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, since the seeds yield 25–30% extractable oil, including α-linolenic acid (ALA). Chia seeds are typically small ovals with a diameter of about 1 mm (0.039 in). They are mottle-colored with brown, gray, black and white.
Chia seed may be eaten raw as a whole seed, providing protein, fats and fiber. Ground chia seed is sometimes added to pinole, a coarse flour made from toasted maize kernels. Chia seeds placed in water or fruit juice are consumed in Mexico and known as chia fresca. The soaked seeds are gelatinous in texture and are used in gruels, porridges and puddings. Ground chia seed is used in baked goods including breads, cakes and biscuits.
*source Wikipedia
Baker’s notes
- I used 1 1/4 cup (150 gr) flour, half all-purpose flour, half whole wheat pastry flour. You can make a combo of the two or use only all-purpose flour or only whole wheat flour.
- 1/4 cup applesauce can be substituted with 1 egg room temperature (no room temperature egg? leave the egg in a bowl with lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes – do not boil!)
- dairy or any type of milk can be used instead of almond milk
- grapeseed oil can be replaced with melted and cooled butter
- the pomegranate seeds can be easily substituted with small diced dried fruit or nuts
- the baking temperature is 425F. Start mixing the ingredients when the oven is hot otherwise after combining chia seed with liquid the batter will become gelatinous and I can’t guarantee you’ll have light soft muffins like mine.
Pomegranate chia seed muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup (brown) sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 2/3 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
- few drops vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Line 9 muffin pans with paper cups and wait until the over reaches the desired temperature.
- In a bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk, applesauce, grapeseed oil and vanilla extract.
- Finally add the chia and pomegranate seeds. Immediately spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for ~ 13-15 minutes until risen and a tooth pick comes out clean.
- Let them cool slightly in the pan and completely on a wire rack.
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Sending love your way,
Roxana
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These look delicious and healthy! Love the colour of the pomegranate seeds. Chia seeds are popping up everywhere – I must give them a try.
Awww, I love them! I don't eat enough pomegranates, but need to because they are delicious:-) We always make something at home for Valetine's Day, we joke it is because we are getting old (we are not of course.) LOL:-)
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Terra
These muffins sound and look amazing. I just recently discovered chia seeds and the only thing I have made with them so far is a pudding (delicious by the way). I love how you combined them with pomegranate seeds. Valentine's day breakfast is a tradition in my house and these might have to be the new addition this year!
Beautiful and delicious
They look amazing!
looki beautiful! gloria
YUMMY ONE
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Your muffins look really pretty with the pomegranate seeds shining through. I just baked with chia seeds for the first time – muffins but different to yours. You're write up is a lot more informative than mine.
Your muffins look absolutely healthy and delicious! I also like the pomegranate in there, sounds great!
Felt the love all the way over here at my house. I was just wondering to myself if I could replace dairy milk with almond milk in baking. Sounds like you guys have a wonderful evening already planned out. Hope you are enjoying the weekend.
-Gina-
This looks amazing! Recipe saved! Thank you!
I love pomegranate anything. I don't know how you had that cup right there and didn't eat them right up. Very pretty in the muffins!
I've only just started using chia seeds but they're so great. These muffins are wonderful!
The only way I've ever seen chia seeds used before is on a chia pet. I think I like your way better! I'm a huge pomegranate fan but don't think I've ever seen them in baked goods before. So, so gorgeous.
I am loving these muffins..they look beautiful and flavor is just perfect combination! by the way lovely photos!
I hope you are having great Sunday..enjoy sweetie!!
Oh, how wonderful! So pretty and full of yummy and healthy ingredients! And, as usual, your photos are outstanding.
PS…thanks for the sweet comment and condolences. xoxo
Wow… what a perfect muffin for Valentine's day!! Your hubby will be a lucky guy to get these!
gorgeous post, roxana! healthy and delicious! and the pictures are just beautiful… love that vivid pomegranate color!
Beautiful photos and what a terrific heart healthy recipe for your sweet heart!
this is a lovely combo– love is in the air indeed !
If this does not put you in the mood for a Valentines breakfast, I am not sure if anything would. Love the use of pomegranate in these muffins. You brought the attributes of healthy and sweet together here, so these are a winner in my book. Well done!
Great idea to start Valentine's with a healthy treat. The red in those seeds is so festive. I am sure the muffins are delicious. I appreciate all of the background on chia seeds. Very interesting.
Wow Roxana, what an informative post and beautiful tasty gorgeous looking muffins too.
Mandy
Have a special time out with your hubby on Valentines Day.
chia and pomegranate together? YUM!
This looks like a yummy (and beautiful) recipe, with the pomegranate craze I love seeing creative ways to incorporate it into recipes, such as this. Great post!
I just love your blog and have used a couple of your recipes. This looks wonderful. Love pomegranates!
Oh, these sound wonderful – chia seeds are new to me, so I'd love to try these. Looks gorgeous!
These look so pretty I will have to check out those Chia seeds
I still haven't tried Chia seeds yet even thought I have read so many articles on how good for your health they are. Roxana, I love how festive you make everything. Now I'm excited for Valentine's Day <3
Wow! They're stunning, delicious and good for you too, what more could we ask for? Your photos are gorgeous, thanks for sharing all the background info on chia, I learned something new today! =]
These muffins are perfect with the pomegranate and chia seeds for a healthy Valentine breakfast. How lovely, and I'm sure that they taste so good. Gorgeous pics.
Gorgeous and healthy. How can this be? Love these.
that's so sweet that you guys are already planing the evening. I never have chia seeds before but it sounds great in these muffing. Pomegrante color is perfect for the V-Day!
I love these, Roxana! Beautiful pics too!
Gorgeous muffins
I love chia seed pudding. Will go to the supermarket later and check if they have pomegranates, i love them on salads or as a snack!
Totally romantical
I think these would be a lovely way to start any valentines day! Brilliant photos!
The muffins look very pretty with the pomegranate arils! I have never tried chia seeds and am curious about it. I need to get some soon.
i had no idea what chia seeds were till i read this… they sound so healthy. perfect for val day, have fun
i love pom seeds and i love chia!! this is a powerseed muffin!
you are so right, valentine's day is so soon. gasp. almost forgot about that! hope you are having a fabulous week, roxana. 
This is such a wonderful idea! Pomegranate seeds and chia seeds are super foods! My kids will love this! I HAVE to try this ASAP!
What a delicious combination! I have been wanting to find more ways to add chia seeds to our diet.
These look so delicious! I made a lot of healthy muffins for my children when they were growing up.
I still enjoy a nice healthy muffin, especially in the morning, myself.
I've not cooked with chia seeds myself. Are they fairly easy to find and also…it sounds like they have a minty flavor, is that right? It seems they've cropped up a lot in the media lately!
Love those chia seeds!
what a sweet treat chai and pomegranate together, love it!! I add chia to my protein shakes, they rock!
Gorgeous!!! This sounds like one healthy and delicious muffin!
Such a sweet post! I need to find my chia seeds & make these little muffins!
Nu stiu ce sunt chia seeds,dar muffinsurile arata grozav.La multi ani pentru blogul tau si pentru tine!
What a beautiful combination…these are perfect for valentines’, or my breakfast
ahhh.. they are so cute! I love it! perfect for this hearts day.
This recipe is amazing! I just made some to give some of my co-workers heart healthy gorgeous Valentine’s Day treats and I know they’ll love them. Thanks very much!
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