(Don’t forget to send me your Challenge results today and tomorrow! Have you checked out the results page? Everyone is doing awesome!)
In my daily Internet travels, I often come across recipes that look so good, I’m practically licking the screen. Yesterday, I found one that had the potential to not only satisfy my sweet tooth, but actually be healthy. I decided to give it a shot.
I made chocolate pudding from avocados. Yes, avocados. I know it sounds weird, but if you don’t tell anyone they’re in there, they’ll never even know it.
Aquacate del Chocolate (Chocolate Avocado)
By Marillyn Beard
Adapted from Just Making Noise
makes 1 cup (2 servings)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/4-1/3 cup raw honey
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 avocados, mashed
- 1/4 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (I suggest only using 1/4 c., as the chocolate is pretty strong.)
- 1/4 cup water
Process banana, raw honey, vanilla in a food processor (or blender) till smooth. Add the avocados, cocoa powder and process till creamy. Scrape down the sides a few times with a rubber spatula. Add the water and process briefly. Store in a sealed container. It will keep for three days in the fridge or two weeks in the freezer. Serve chilled or at room temp. (tastes best chilled!).
TO DOUBLE IT: Increase the amounts to 1 1/2 bananas, 1/2-3/4 cup raw honey, 1 tsp. vanilla, 4 avocados, 3/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 cup water.
Molly’s thoughts:
I was so excited to find a dessert recipe with no dairy, no eggs and only natural sugar. I used a little extra honey to up the sweet factor and next time would use a little less cocoa because it’s pretty strong, and definitely eat this chilled. The result was pretty awesome. I even ate some in the morning. The taste is more chocolate-banana than pudding cup, but it’s GOOD. All you’re eating is avocado (good fat!), banana (potassium!), honey and a little cocoa, so you don’t have to feel guilty about a couple spoonfulls after dinner.
I think I’ll definitely make this again, and will also file it away for when I have kids. If only my husband liked chocolate…
18 comments
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August 11, 2009 at 9:50 am
Rachel
Sounds delicious!!
August 11, 2009 at 9:53 am
MIss Pickle
I am totally trying this.
And before I forget, my results this week…running, total distance (7 km); running stairs,15 flights x 3. Calves are killing, bum is sore, but it’s all worth it!
(Am I supposed to comment with this, or e-mail to you?)
August 11, 2009 at 10:11 am
A Bit of This
Yum! I’ll be making this!
August 11, 2009 at 10:15 am
littlespoon
What is up with our crazy husbands not liking chocolate? The weirdos
August 11, 2009 at 10:24 am
MKate
I had a really great week!
Scale’s showing one pound down.
Wednesday, August 5: rest day, 1150 cals
Thursday, August 6: 1400 cals, 4 mile run
Friday, August 7: 3 mile run, 1460 cals
Saturday, August 8: 1.5 dog walk, trampoline aerobics class, 2.5 run, 1250 cals
Sunday, August 9: 5 mile run, 1400 cals
Monday, August 10: rest day, 1345 cals
And, get this: no alcohol. That’s been the easiest part! Thanks again for the motivation!
MK
August 11, 2009 at 11:32 am
Stephanie
Wow. Interesting. I may have to try it since I have a horribly out of control sweet tooth
It almost got me in trouble this weekend at my birthday party. 
. I did alright though, i really limited what i ate, but I gotta to stay extra good this week to make up for it so that I can definately loose more weight this week. As for my past week goals…I did drink more water, but not the recommended 8 glasses a day, so I plan to make that my goal again, and to cook more healthy foods for dinner and lunch. (And I didnt loose or gain weight this week 
)
August 11, 2009 at 11:45 am
Kathleen
Wow, I think I want to try this! I am obsessed with chocolate, and the darker and richer the better. Do you think for someone like me that the cocoa would still be too strong?
August 11, 2009 at 1:03 pm
DevilsHeaven
What is with these men who don’t like chocolate? My hubs doesn’t either!!! Weird.
August 11, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Johanna
Mmm avocados are the most consumed item in our house! If I can steal one away to try a dessert out of, I may just try it.
Update: Despite the 2 full days of hormonally induced binging, I’m down on the scale (not actually a goal) and looking mightily toned thanks to Jillian Michaels and the 30 day shred. So far ~15 days in and missed 2, one when we were away and one when Kaya woke way too late in the morning for there to be time.
August 11, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Marissa
Anything with avocado in it has to be good!
August 12, 2009 at 9:48 am
Kate
I am down about half a pound more, making my total loss 2 pounds. Wish it was more, but I am still having a hard time fitting exercise into my day. I hope to do better!
August 12, 2009 at 11:56 am
Maranda
Mockamole
Makes 2 1/2 cups (10 1/4-cup servings)
If you long for your favorite south-of-the-border dip but don’t want the fat of avocado, try this reduced-fat version of guacamole. You can use either green peas or green beans for part of the avocado. Green peas will give this dip a slightly sweet flavor that we found especially appealing.
The peas in this guacamole help to lower the fat content and they also add cancer-fighting fiber.
1 cup drained and rinsed canned green peas, or 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
1 ripe avocado, peeled
1/2 cup mild salsa
1 garlic clove, finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 green onion, chopped (optional)
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
If using fresh or frozen peas, blanch peas in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cool with cold water and drain. Cut avocado into large chunks. Mash avocado and peas together using a potato masher or fork, or, if a very creamy texture is desired, in a food processor. Mix in salsa, garlic, green onion (if using), lemon juice, cumin, and cilantro (if using). Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Per 1/4-cup: 45 calories; 2.7 g fat; 0.4 g saturated fat; 53.5% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 1.3 g protein; 4.9 g carbohydrate; 1.3 g sugar; 2.1 g fiber; 227 mg sodium; 12 mg calcium; 0.5 mg iron; 6.1 mg vitamin C; 118 mcg beta-carotene; 0.5 mg vitamin E
Recipe from The Survivor’s Handbook, The Cancer Project
August 12, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Gourmet Mama
Yum! I made something very similar to this a couple months back, but it was more of a paté than pudding. Still, avocadoes work very well to give that creamy smoothness that we love . . . in a healthy manner!
August 12, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Wednesday Recipe Roundup 19
[...] months back, I posted a recipe for Chocolate Avocado Paté . . . well, here’s a recipe for Healthy Chocolate Pudding with avocado and bananas as the base. Sounds [...]
August 12, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Inna
I absolutely LOVE avocados! You know you can substitute butter for avocado in most recipes? You can even make avocado frosting.
August 13, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Laura
I made this last night. YUM!
August 13, 2009 at 12:51 pm
BS
Have you seen Alton Brown’s Moo-less Chocolate Pie dessert? Skip the crust and you have an incredibly rich, chocolate, denser-than-mousse dessert that is basically just chocolate and tofu.
August 13, 2009 at 8:05 pm
charmae
I had a pretty crappy week. I only managed to work out twice. blah. I hope to do better this week. I just find too many excuses too easily. Like right now I’m really sunburnt, and therefore don’t feel like going for even a walk. I feel like such a baby.
Eating habits are getting better though. I discovered sliced cucumbers and radishes dipped in some ranch dressing makes a great alternative to potato chips.