(photography by Elaine Gordon)
by Elaine Gordon, Eating by Elaine
This chocolate mousse is the easiest dessert out there so you can quickly whip it up without any stress. No oven, no stove and no fancy kitchen tools.
I’m going to be completely upfront and let you know that the base of this dish is avocado. Now you might be skeptical about the idea of avocado and chocolate together in one dish (stay with me here). While I love both independently, I too wasn’t sure how they would jive together. But, I can honestly say (and my family wholeheartedly agrees) this pudding is so silky, creamy and velvety… it is hard to believe there is no dairy, heavy cream or egg in the ingredient list. This mousse is full of decadent chocolate flavor and yet it is raw, gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
So what is in it exactly? Mainly, heart healthy avocado and cacao powder. Plus, non-dairy milk, vanilla, a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and a pinch of salt. You can garnish the mousse with cacao nibs, dark chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries or strawberries for an elegant presentation that is sure to impress. Or, use it as a dip for fresh fruit such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. You can feel good knowing the ingredients in this luxurious mousse (slash pudding) are truly healthful and beneficial.
And to give you even more reason to fall in love with this dessert: Here are the health benefits of avocado: The amazingly creamy avocado contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and nutrients that actually reduce your cholesterol levels, promote healthy vision and potentially protect against cancer. They contain folate, vitamins E, C and B6. Plus, they are high in dietary fiber – great for overall heart health and digestion. And, avocados contain 60 percent more potassium per ounce than bananas!