Our friend cderrick13 just posted a blog with a list of eight healthy foods we should all be eating (all the time, really, but especially when watching our weight after quitting!) Great list, Cheryl! Some of the commenters were bemoaning the fact that chocolate wasn't on the list... So for my dear friends jojo and youngatheart, here is a recipe that contains THREE of those eight healthy foods AND CHOCOLATE. This healthy dessert will rock your face off, as Brenda M would say. My Beloved begs me to make this for him!
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
One large ripe Hass avocado (the dark bumpy-skinned kind), pitted & scooped out of skin, cut in chunks
1/2 cup of good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup agave syrup (usually near the honey in the grocery store or health food aisle)
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (comes in a carton in health food aisle or near regular milk)
1 Tbsp vanilla (pure extract, not the "vanilla flavored" stuff)
1 Tbsp orange zest (plus a little more for garnish)
Toasted sliced almonds for garnish
Put the avocado chunks in the food processor. Add the cocoa powder, agave syrup, coconut milk, vanilla and orange zest to food processor. Process on high for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Spoon into serving dishes, garnish with sliced almonds and more orange zest.
(You can make a richer version by substituting 4 oz. of bittersweet chocolate (melted) for the cocoa power and by buying a can of coconut milk (found in ethic food aisle in the Indian section) and using 1/4 cup of the thick coconut cream that has separated from the milk and risen to the top of the can instead of using the drinkable kind of coconut milk in the carton. Just be sure NOT to shake the can before you open it! Of course, this richer version isn't as healthy.)
You can also throw on a few blueberries and say that it uses FOUR of the foods on the cderrick13's list! Avocados and chocolate together...who'da thunk it?
