My move date to San Francisco is coming up hard and fast (yep, in case you missed it — I’m moving to San Francisco). The last few weeks have been a whirlwind and I’ve been overstretched between training folks at my current job, trying to find a place in San Francisco, interviewing property managers for the house, and packing a 3-bedroom house to fit into a studio. On top of that, my social calendar has been out of control, first with friends from out of town coming to visit and my bouncing around from one set of goodbye lunches and drinks to another. But thankfully, my last day at work was last Friday, and it’s only now that I can finally breathe.
With so much going on, I’ve made it a priority to eat well. In contrast with my usual sedentary job in front of a computer, I’m on my feet all day. I spend the majority of the day racing from one room of the house to the other, shuffling heavy boxes between the car and the house, and general pacing nervously as I try to bring everything together. Meals have become bare-bone, utilitarian affairs: give me as much protein and complex carbohydrates to keep me going as long as I can between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There was one morning, however, that was the exception to my frantic planning and packing. Last Saturday, I let myself sleep in and woke up to fix myself my “dream” breakfast in bed meal — chia seed yogurt pudding with pistachios and fresh seasonal fruit like rhubarb and kumquats:
Oddly enough, despite my massive sweet tooth, I like my breakfasts on the lighter side. No thank you to waffles, pancakes, bacon, and eggs — yes please to yogurt and fruit. The breakfast bowl above has all the fixings of my dream breakfast: protein from the chia seeds, yogurt, and raw pistachios, refreshing tartness and sweetness from the kumquats, and finally, subtle sourness from the seasonal rhubarb. Not to mention the fact that, because I really wanted to treat myself, I roasted the rhubarb in champagne to give the fruit a little extra indulgent something, something. Because nothing says TREAT. YO. SELF. more than champagne at breakfast, right?
Well. Except maybe this breakfast… in bed:
Which I totally did. Yup, after waking up early to roast some rhubarb, I actually crawled back into bed in my pajamas with this tray of fresh flowers from the garden and this bowl of chia seed pudding.
And it was AWESOME. Really and truly…
Sigh.
I’m pretty sure that breakfast is going to be my last moment of calm until I finally get to San Francisco.
In any case, as a special goodbye to my Oregon-based readers, I’ve teamed up with New Seasons Market, my favorite local supermarket in town that features a ton of local produce and small batch sellers. In addition to graciously providing the ingredients for this post, New Seasons is providing me with a $50 giftcard for one of my Oregon, Washington, or California based readers to help create their dream breakfast-in-bed meal, just in time for Mother’s Day. Check out New Seasons’ Facebook page to see more recipe ideas for brunch and breakfast-in-bed!
Before entering the giveaway, however, note that New Seasons only has locations in Oregon (although there’s one in Washington state and another in Northern California); you can find the store closest to you by checking out their website. So if you don’t have access to a New Seasons, I’m not sure how relevant this giveaway is to you — unless you’re heading to Portland sometime soon and want to drop $50 on groceries while you’re here… if that’s the case, by all means, feel free to enter!
To win the $50 New Seasons giftcard, use the raffle widget below to either:
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- Follow me (@hummingbirdhigh) on Twitter and tweet about your dream breakfast-in-bed meal. Be sure to tag New Seasons (@newseasons) too so that they can hear about your favorite recipes and ingredients!
- Leave a comment on the blogpost below and tell me about your dream breakfast-in-bed dish or recipe. After you’ve left a comment, be sure to use the widget below to confirm your entry.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway lasts for one week and will end next on May 13, 2015. I’ll announce the winner on this post and reach out via email shortly afterwards. Good luck!
Thank you for entering! The giveaway is now closed. The winner is Nell P, whose dream breakfast in bed is apparently a banana split! Congratulations!
Some baker’s notes:
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- Chia seeds are available online, or in the bulk sections of most organic/local supermarkets. Chia seeds can absorb up to 12 times their weight when soaked in liquid, and soaking chia seeds in a batch of yogurt overnight is what gives the pudding its thick, gel-like texture. Be sure to plan ahead and let the seeds soak overnight to get the thickest, creamiest pudding possible!
- You can make this recipe with a variety of yogurts, but I like to use unsweetened ‘plain’ yogurt. Keep in mind that you’re going to be adding syrup from the champagne roasted rhubarb, which will add to the sweetness of the dish. If you need a little bit more sweetness, you can also drizzle in some honey over the pudding. I’ve also made this recipe with Greek yogurt, but found the result to be too thick — but some people are into that, so feel free to experiment!
Get the Recipe: Chia Seed Yogurt Pudding with Champagne Roasted Rhubarb, Kumquats and Pistachios
Ingredients
For the Chia Seed Yogurt Pudding Starter
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3/4 cup whole milk
For the Champagne Roasted Rhubarb
(makes around 1 cup of compote)
- 1 pound rhubarb, trimmed and sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup champagne
- 1/2 teaspoon ground vanilla bean powder, or 1 vanilla bean
To Serve
(makes around 4 servings)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 recipe champagne roasted rhubarb (from recipe above)
- 1/3 generous cup kumquats, sliced in halves
- 1/4 cup raw shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
Instructions
For the Chia Seed Yogurt Pudding Starter
- In a medium glass bowl, combine 1/4 cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons chia seeds, stirring with a spoon to combine. Continue to stir while slowly adding 3/4 cup whole milk. When the milk is fully incorporated, cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to refrigerate overnight.
- For the Champagne Roasted Rhubarb
- Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 (F).
- Place 1 pound chopped rhubarb in a glass 9 x 13-inch baking pan. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1/2 teaspoon ground vanilla bean powder — don't worry if the sugar doesn't dissolve, you should end up with a thick, grainy syrup. Drizzle over the rhubarb and use a rubber spatula, tossing the fruit until all the rhubarb pieces are covered in syrup.
- Roast in the preheated oven until the rhubarb is very tender and the juices are syrupy, around 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool slightly on a wire rack for around 10 to 15 minutes before using in a yogurt bowl.
To Serve
- While the rhubarb is cooling, prepare the yogurt pudding. Remove the pudding starter from the fridge, stirring a couple of times, before folding in 1 cup plain yogurt once or twice. Drizzle a spoonful or two of champagne syrup from the rhubarb over the pudding, then fold once more.
- Divide the pudding between 4 bowls, before dividing the roasted rhubarb and its syrup, 1/3 cup kumquat halves, and 1/4 cup chopped pistachios over the pudding. Serve immediately.
a HUGE stack of pancakes with copious butter and maple syrup. i'll be washing the sheets afterwards, no doubt. 🙂
This is beautiful!! Wow! From one great city to another. Good luck!! Any great places in Portland I should visit?? Going there for our 1 year anniversary next week ^^
This is just so insanely gorgeous, champagne roasted rhubarb?! Sounds so dreamy. It's awesome that you took time to relax that morning! Have a smooth move to SF, Michelle!!
…nothing at all. Am I weird for not liking breakfast in bed? I just have a *thing* about crumbs.
Hahha, yum! and yay for washing the sheets afterwards too 🙂
Thanks Maryna!!!
Michelle! I completely missed the announcement that you're moving to SF. Must go back and check out the post that I missed. What an exciting and stressful time; what a PERFECT time to roast rhubarb with champagne. That is pure brilliance. And absofreakinglutely feels like the height of luscious breakfast-in-bed-ness. Also: Making chia with yogurt. GENIUS. Yum!
Yep! Will send you an email shortly 🙂
Thanks Erica!!!
LOL. No, this is totally fair. It's… messy.
Thanks Lily! In any case, we'll be closer to each other when I'm in SF!!! Hopefully we can finally meet IRL there or in LA 🙂
Oh! Eggs Benedict, but something extremely fancy and over the top. As well as fresh squeezed orange juice, a bloody mary, and french press. My future children had better go to culinary camp!
This is a GORGEOUS post! Love it! My dream breakfast in bed has to have cheese, delicious bread, and poached eggs. That or a million muffins. (AND ALWAYS COFFEE!) xo
So sad to see you leave Portland, but I grew up in the Bay so I know how incredibly charming SF is 🙂 I used to spend Saturdays grabbing breakfast at Tartine, walk over to Dolores Park and nap, go back to Mission for great Mexican food, then hit up BiRite for ice cream. Yum.
My dream breakfast in bed meal is challah bread stuffed with bacon, cheese, mushrooms. Then dip the challah in egg and cheese, season with salt, pepper and thyme, then cook on the stove. Drizzle with a bit of maple syrup and you have a decadent sweet and salty weekend treat!
My dream breakfast in bed would be thick french toast with fresh whipped cream & berries! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it…
Way to totally treat yourself with this one, so crazy gorgeous Michelle! Hope you're soaking up your last moments there in OR amidst all the chaos that moving creates, can't wait to see your new digs in CA! <3
I'm going through a major chia pudding phase at the moment although I tend to make mine just with milk rather than this luxurious yogurt option – I'm changing that tomorrow. Plus that champagne rhubarb? Totally the way to my heart. Good luck with the rest of the move!
I think we've talked about my New Seasons love! I love shopping there. My dream breakfast in bed would probably be something carb filled–waffles, pancakes, donuts! And something salty–bacon! And tons of coffee with whipped cream. Also, no mess in the kitchen after I'm done or dishes to do. Mom dreams, sigh!
This makes me so happy! (I'll actually be in SF on the 15th—when do you move?)
I'm sorry Michelle, you are weird. Pancakes are the best. 🙂 I would like lots and lots of pancakes. Or maybe waffles. Or maybe both.
Yum! Eggs Benedict is defs my favorite egg breakfast. Also, your breakfast in bed is so well imagined, I love it.
I read your recent post about your growing fondest for the city, so I probably don't need to tell you that SF's food scene is amazing. I'm from the Bay Area, and I not-so-recently moved to Boston for a job. It was last summer, and I was so incredibly nervous. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made, but I am looking forward to coming back to the Bay Area in a year or so :p When that time comes, I'd LOVE to meet you, you insanely talented blogger, in person!!!! I love simple breakfasts like yogurts and puddings (but I won't say no to a stack of pancakes either). Your chia seed pudding with champagne looks and sounds so perfect for my boring mornings!! Champagne before work sounds like the start of a good day. Ps. the pictures are gorgeous!
Wow, your days in SF sound so idyllic. You hit all my favorite spots — Tartine, Dolores, Mission burritos and Birite!
Also CHALLAH. I forgot about that! Challah french toast is one of my favorite desserts (though it's technically breakfast!).
Yum! I just responded to a comment down below — I completely forgot about challah french toast, it's one of my faves.
THEM'S FIGHTING WORDS, ERIN.
I'll take my chia seed yogurt over pancakes any day. Challah french toast might be another issue, though. Also liege waffles.
Not saying your yogurt doesn't sound good! But yeahhhh challah french toast and liege waffles?! Now you're talking my language!
That is the prettiest breakfast I have ever seen. As far as my dream breakfast in bed, I'd like a fancy oatmeal with ridiculous amounts of fruit. It's pretty different than the only breakfast in bed I get these days, which is a few leftover bites of "triangle toast" that my daughter doesn't eat while I read her books in my bed. And yes, the crumbs afterwards are out of control—but SO WORTH the snuggles.
I ain't picky!
Looks AMAZING!!! My dream breakfast in bed would be a banana split! If you're doing it, you might as well go all out. Good luck packing!!!!
Waffles, sausage and fruits with juice!
This looks so so good. I will take this dream breakfast. 🙂 Good luck with your move…never easy or fun to pack/unpack.
My dream breakfast in bed is Cinnamon French Toast! #9words
I love breakfast so this is a hard one… For now let's go with smoked salmon eggs benedict, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a cup of Stumptown coffee.
Aw I'm sorry, that's hard! But I'm sure you'll make it super adorbs. And yes I hope so! Still need to look into plane tickets and figure out how to afford a hotel room, haha, but I'm sure it will all come together. Definitely do not want to miss it – especially since the awards ceremony is on my birthday, how rad is that! Congrats on getting your tickets! So exciting.
Umm…champagne roasted rhubarb? You are the best! Now I need to find ways to make that and put it on #allthethings! This looks so decadent and tasty!
Pancakes pancakes pancakes pancakes with butter and butter syrup. Nom nom nom.
German pancakes piled high with a mountain of fruit! And coffee, of course!
Ooh definitely eggs benedict with potatoes!
Thanks so much, Connie! Feel free to shoot me an email whenever you're in SF — it'd be great to meet up!
Aw, what a cute routine with your daughter!
hahah easy for me then 🙂
lol, a banana split for breakfast? you wild thing, you.
Classic. I love it. 🙂
Thanks Bonnie! Currently I'm in packing hell, hoping it's over soon :-/
I think it only counts if each of the 9 words is like 5 characters plus, ehem.
Yum. Gotta have that Stumptown coffee 🙂
Thanks Katrina!
Butter syrup? I don't know what that is, but it sounds amazing.
Oooh I LOVE German pancakes. Another breakfast pastry I totally forgot about! Shame on me.
Mmm, that's one of my favorite savory breakfast combos. Especially the potatoes. Yum.