Ojai Pixie Tangerine Chia Pudding

By Dennis Linden

Here is a quick, easy, and uniquely tasty way to start the day submitted by Julie Talancon, a member of Melissa’s Marketing Team, which is available only for a few months this time of year since its key ingredient is the Pixie Tangerine from the orchards of Ojai, California. While there are certainly other tangerine varieties and even other growing areas where the tiny Pixie is grown, there is simply nothing to compare with this renowned crop from the fertile Ojai Valley. The first experience of this fruit was so impressive that Julie has never forgotten it.

“When I first joined the Melissa’s team, the Ojai Pixie Tangerine crop was just coming into season and immediately changed my definition of what a tangerine should taste,” Julie recalled. “I was so impressed by the difference in quality, flavor, and sweetness compared to the most common citrus on the market. I LOVE Pixies. It's truly my favorite item we have! I also enjoy chia pudding; it’s easy to prepare, and you can do so many different recipes with it, so it doesn’t really get old. I get to enjoy both for a brief time in early spring.”
 
I, too, can attest to experiencing this same immediate change in thinking in other produce professionals at an industry food show while staffing a booth promoting the company’s products back in the day before Pixies were familiar to the trade, let alone the consumer. It became predictable, almost comical, watching attendees grab what was assumed to be just an undersized tangerine from my sample tray, then move along a few steps as they peeled and casually tried a section. Wait for it...1-2-3…stop, do a double take at the fruit in hand, then pivot back to the fruit source that could stop grown adults in their professional tracks. There is an ultimate tangerine essence, and the Pixie is like no other. Such inadequate words in an attempt to describe such a small yet powerful piece of fruit. All marketing agendas aside, try the Pixie Tangerine for the sheer pleasure of it. The variety is truly something special.
 
Julie’s recipe is built for speed and provides an energy-boosting start to the day, especially during the week when a quick breakfast should not sacrifice nutrition in favor of time. In fact, prep time can be shortened further by making larger batches of the two main components ahead – the chia pudding and the crushed Almond Clean Snax® mix. Refrigerate the pudding / store a cup or two of the Clean Snax® mixture in a jar in the pantry. That whittles the prep down to peeling a few Pixies and constructing the dish. 

Full disclosure: The construction was tweaked here for presentation based on Julie’s original instructions for incorporating the Organic Blue Agave Syrup into the pudding, sprinkling both the crushed Clean Snax® and coconut chips on top. Instead, the agave was mixed with two other “toppings,” making a granola-like paste that was placed at the bottom of the serving glass, followed by a layer of tangerine sections, covered by a full serving of pudding that was then topped with another layer of tangerine sections. Another layer of Clean Snax® mix could be sprinkled on top to taste. I preferred more Pixie and less Clean Snax®, but then again I will always choose more Pixies!

The phrase “Marketing Team” may sound to anyone outside the fresh produce business as a glorified title for a salesperson. However, in a company as diverse as Melissa’s, “marketing” must be more nuanced, with many facets that go into supporting the brand. The selling of fresh harvests is only a sliver of what gets our fresh produce brand into large chain stores, served at large sporting areas and entertainment centers, as well as small gourmet restaurants. It takes many hands before and after the salesperson writes up an order to promote the label at many levels.  

“I do wear many hats at Melissa’s, which is what makes this interesting and changing every day. I work with our account managers in SoCal for in-store demos where we introduce and educate the consumer about our products. I’m on the Venue Team, so I work with the Chef’s Team at the local sports arena clubs and Melissa’s concessions stands. I help with promotional special events that Melissa’s participates in, like golf tournaments, food and wine festivals, and many more that come up throughout the year. I also help with Melissa’s philanthropy and community outreach, whether that’s setting up the charity organizations we’re working with or overseeing actual product donations. Overall, it is really fun getting to interact with so many different people and educate them on the products and be able to answer any questions they have.”

Outside of the office, Julie really enjoys going to movies, concerts, and music festivals. Her favorite genres are reggae and EDM (Electric Dance Music). For the past year, she has been following a CrossFit routine that keeps her in dancing shape! When asked about her choice of a famous persona she would invite to her table, her answer was Andrew Zimmern, host of the TV show Bizarre Foods.

“I thought it was so cool seeing him go all over the world learning about and trying new foods no matter what it was. He has been to so many places and tasted so many items outside of what we in the U.S. would consider normal. I would love to have a meal with him as I know he has some impressive stories and insights into the different flavors of the world.  I am sure I would learn a lot from him in one evening.”

I have seen the show, and, indeed, Andrew has enjoyed many flavors we will never have the pleasure of, Julie. Still, come to the table with your own bowl of Pixies and watch this pro taster do the same double-take as the rest of us!

Ojai Pixie Tangerine Chia Pudding
Servings 2

Ingredients 
½ cup Ojai Pixie Tangerine Juice
½ cup plain Greek Yogurt
6 tablespoons Melissa’s White Chia Seeds
1 cup Almond Milk (or preferred milk)
1 teaspoon Ojai Pixie Tangerine Zest
Pinch of salt

Add in:
1 cup Almond Clean Snax®, crushed
2 tablespoons Melissa’s Coconut Chips
1 tablespoon Melissa’s Organic Blue Agave Syrup
2 whole Pixie tangerines, sections separated

Preparation

In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond milk, Ojai Pixie Tangerine juice, Greek yogurt, chia seed, zest and salt. Set in refrigerator for 30-40 minutes, or until it is thick, and all liquid absorbed. Whisk once or twice while it sets so that it does not get too chunky at the bottom.

Combine the crushed Almond Clean Snax®, Melissa’s Coconut Chips and Agave in a small bowl to form a granola-like paste

Once pudding has set, in a tall serving glass first pack down a layer of about 2-inches of the Snax mixture at bottom, then place a layer of whole Pixie sections over the Snax, followed by a much serving of the pudding, topped with another layer of Pixies. Serve chilled.