Your comments on my Kitchen Quirks story were quite hilarious. They also led to even more funny stories here at home and among our friends and family.
I got a text from a friend shortly after posting.
“I’m reading your kitchen quirks post aloud to my husband (because he is absolutely nuts about the dishwasher just like Eric is). I finish reading it to him and he goes, “Ugh, I wonder what some of Eric’s tricks are? Did he write specifics?”
There are many inquiring minds as to what Eric’s dishwashing tricks are, it seems. Eric is in the process of penning an e-guide for dishwasher enthusiasts. Ok not really, but I told him he can’t keep his secrets all to himself for ever! Plus, I need others to know what I’m going through.
When we were talking about the blog post, Eric decided to mention another one of my kitchen quirks. You know, aside from general “chaos”. Apparently, I have this annoying little habit of leaving kitchen cupboards/cabinets and drawers open while I’m baking or cooking. I’ve been doing it for years. Basically, since I started cooking.
In my eyes, leaving the drawers and cupboards open is efficient. I do it because I know I’ll probably go back to that cupboard later on in the cooking process so I see no need to close it every single time. See it’s not lazy; it’s practical! I’m all about efficiency.
One morning about 4 years ago when we were living in our previous house, I headed downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. Eric was still upstairs getting ready for work. As I approached the kitchen I immediately noticed something was wrong…very wrong.
Every single cupboard and drawer in the entire kitchen was wide open. Just picture your own kitchen with every cupboard door open and every drawer open. It’s freaky stuff, right?
I stopped dead in my tracks at the edge of the kitchen.
“OH… MY… GOD…”
I was absolutely horrified. Of course, I immediately assumed there was some kind of weird Poltergeist shit going on. Or some evil force taking over my kitchen. Or both.
I turned on my heels and BOOKED it upstairs. There’s no way I was going to wait around for the drawers to start spontaneously slamming or something!!
Eric started laughing uncontrollably. He then confessed that he opened every cupboard and drawer before bed to play a trick on me. What kind of sick person does that?
So it’s been 4 years since his prank and I’m long overdue for retaliation. I’m thinking it’s going to have something to do with his beloved dishwasher. I’m open to your suggestions, as always.
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Gourmet Chia Seed Pudding
Yield
3-3.5 cups (serves 4-6)
Soak time
overnight + 2-3 hours
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Creamy, rich, and thick chia seed pudding made from scratch! If you want to make the speedy version using store-bought almond milk and liquid sweetener, see the tip below. This makes a large batch (3 cups or so), but I discovered that chia seed pudding freezes well and it thaws beautifully in the fridge. So there’s never fear of any going to waste. I like to freeze it in individual servings in freezer-safe zip bags or small glass containers, so I always have a healthy snack on hand. If you aren't down with the tapioca-like texture of chia seed pudding, feel free to blend this pudding in your blender until smooth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1 vanilla bean, chopped into a few pieces (optional, but recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Dash of fine sea salt
- 3 to 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup or 1/3 cup packed pitted Medjool dates, or to taste
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
Directions
- Place almonds in a bowl and cover with a couple inches of water. Soak overnight or for 8 hours. If you are in a rush, soaking for 1 to 2 hours works in a pinch. Drain and rinse almonds after soaking.
- Place almonds in a high-speed blender along with the 3 cups filtered water, chopped vanilla bean (if using), vanilla extract, and salt. Blend on the highest speed, for about 1 minute until the almonds and vanilla bean are pulverized.
- Place a nut milk bag on top of a large bowl and pour the almond milk into the bag. (You can also use cheesecloth placed over a fine mesh sieve, however a nut milk bag yields the smoothest result and is faster.) Squeeze the bag and press out all the milk. The pulp will remain in the bag/cloth (you should have about 1 cup of pulp).
- If using dates as your sweetener: Note: I only recommend using dates if your blender can pulverize them super smooth, otherwise use liquid sweetener. Rinse out the blender. Carefully pour the almond milk back into the blender and add the pitted dates. Blend on the highest speed until the dates are pulverized and the milk is super smooth. Add milk back into the bowl.
- Whisk in the chia seeds (and the maple syrup, only if not using the dates). Place in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours, until thickened and cold. Give the mixture a good stir every once in awhile to redistribute the chia seeds.
- Layer the chia pudding with mango, raspberries, and top with Coconut Whipped Cream. Chia seed pudding will keep in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. It freezes well too, just thaw in the fridge before ready to enjoy.
Tip:
- For a quicker version, simply use 3 cups of store-bought unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup chia seeds, and 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Whisk everything in a mason jar and chill in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours.
- Ideas for using leftover almond pulp: Spread the pulp onto a baking sheet and dry it out by baking it at 300°F (150°C) for 25-30 minutes until lightly golden in some spots. Cool completely. Grind it in a food processor until a coarse flour forms. You can use the toasted pulp in granola recipes or any other baked goods you see fit.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Thank you for this recipe! I wanted to make chia seed pudding for ages…now I will give it a go for sure! x
Look delicious I may try it with some banana protein powder!
This chia seed pudding looks fab, could be a new breakfast favourite!
PS my sister is the same with the kitchen cupboards but she doesn’t close them full stop! So frustrating.
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I see the practicality of having all the cupboard and cabinet doors open, but my condo kitchen is pretty tiny. Having everything open would essentially trap me in. :)
As for a dishwasher prank, if Eric is very into making sure that everything is loaded a certain way, I suggest sneaking in at the last minute and carefully rearranging a few noticeable items before you run it. Of course, this will only work if you know that Eric will be the one unloading it.
This looks amazing, I can’t wait to try it out! (:
Naomi | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
I do the same exact thing with the cabinets!! My roommate in college said she felt like she was living with the little girl from signs! Except instead of leaving glasses of water out, I leave all the cabinets open. It was a habit of mine I had forgotten about until my boyfriend (who I live with) recently injured his ankle. This week, I started noticing all the cabinets were open all the time. He said to me, that’s because he usually closes them but now that he’s been resting his ankle he hasn’t been in the kitchen to close them! Now my own bad habit is driving me crazy lol. Glad to know I’m not the only one that does that!
The dishwasher quirk of Eric’s is hilarious because my boyfriend does the same thing! Every night when he gets home from work, he reorganizes it!
If he starts the dishwasher before going to bed – do the same thing, get up early and change everything around in the dishwasher so it is total chaos. Or spray cheese whiz on everything – LOL! Did you know your reply for email is disabled? Several months ago you emailed me wanting more information on formaldehyde in coconuts and I tried several times to reply but it bounces it back. I noticed this morning, it did the same thing when I inadvertently tried to reply by email instead of putting this in the comments section.
I’ve been using this recipe for years – I put cardamon in it too.
I add fruit to my almond mixture before I Vitamix it. You can put up to a cup of fruit in and it will come out just fine.
Lol! This is hilarious! I do the same with kitchen cabinet doors and my husband played the same trick on me one of the mornings!!!
Yum! To the quick version I add vanilla bean and dates and I think after the above suggestion I’ll add cardamom , as well.
This looks great. I’m thinking- I want to make the quick version of this. Could I use coconut milk instead of almond milk? or half/half? I’m thinking coconut milk might give it a really delicious creamy-ness but have never tried. Would love to hear your advice!
This looks amazing!! I am in an Italian beach town right now, and I brought my chia with me. I can’t wait to get back to the states and whip this up – no more overnight bar fridge chia pudding :P
xx Jill
I am digging the sound of this pudding. I feel vegan food can be gourmet, despite what others may say about it! Simple, good quality ingredients, whipped together in balance can really take fruit and vegetables (and seeds!) up a notch. Or several notches.
Pranks ideas: How does he feel about a giant rubber spider in the toilet? Or wrapped around a shower head? It gets my boyfriend pretty good when he decides to tighten all the jars in the fridge or put my kitchen essentials on the top shelves. Just an idea ;)
Hilarious!!! Definitely whipping up a batch – it looks incredible!!
Love the layering in this jar! It looks so pretty :)
I cannot STAND it when the cupboard doors and kitchen drawers are open. If Mr. Science leaves them open while he’s cooking, I’ll follow him around, closing cabinet doors. I always think things are going to start falling off the shelves, haha.
That looks so yummy!
I’d love that for breakfast ;)
That pudding looks great! I do the same thing when I am making dinner. I have been making a lot of Blue Apron meals and so I always make sure to leave the trash drawer open since there is a lot of chopping and prep. That way I can just toss scraps in there instead of opening it every time!
Hi,
I love your recipes and would love to try this one. I am allergic to nuts is there a seed substitution I could use instead?
Thanks,
Lori
Maybe try coconut milk instead?
That is too funny because my husband leaves the cabinet doors open when he is in the kitchen and it drives me NUTS! HA! HA! He drives me nuts with the dishwasher too. He is obsessed with filling it and emptying it as soon as possible.
OH LOVE THIS.
we are scratch people all the way.
with our chia anyway :-)