Sometimes you just have to throw your hands up in the air and trust.
So, I beseech you to trust me. I will never lead you down a path of non-deliciousness. Even if it is me telling you about a chocolate dessert that is raw and vegan. Trust me.
For all my friends out there who shutter at the sound of raw foods, just do me a solid and try making this dessert, I promise you will be pleasantly surprised.
At first glance, this recipe threw me off a little because of the simplicity of it. As a chef if I don’t cook something I don’t really feel like I’ve made anything at all. Much to my dismay, I have made this pudding at least three or four times since the first time and it has become one of my favorite quick go to desserts.
This pudding has ingredients that are usually around every household just never imagined to be put together in a dessert. If you have avocados, bananas, cocoa powder, cinnamon and maple syrup, you can make this! The most important part of this recipe is making sure you have super ripe avocados and bananas. If you don’t have the ripest and creamiest fruits your final product will lack the natural sweetness and you might be disappointed with the texture. When your bananas are brown and freckly it’s usually time to either chop them up and throw them in the freezer for smoothies, or its time to make this pudding.
On top of all the deliciousness, this dish is filled with goodness for your cardiovascular protection from the potassium and fiber of the bananas. The unsweetened cocoa powder is low in calories and contains minerals that support your heart, bones and immune system. Lets not forget the all mighty avocado in all its glory. This “superfood” is so versatile and is high in monounsaturated fats, which means it is the good kind of fat that your body will be able to burn easily turning it into energy, while still providing nutrients like fiber, vitamin E and folic acid.
You could totally trick your kids into eating this super healthy pudding and let them think it’s made with the butter and milk that other recipes call for. Just don’t let them see how you make it!
Icey..Shaved..Minty
Three words that come to mind on a hot Summers day.
Don't act like you don't think the same.
I've been known to crave a sweet thing from time to time. But when it comes to making something at home I like to keep it real. By real I mean easy, Reeeall Easy. The last thing I want to do on a hot summer day is stand in a hot kitchen and make a dessert, but I still would like something slightly sweet to satisfy my urge for something cold and refreshing.
Whats easier than freezing some juice, and shaving it? Not much. This is known as a granita. It's pretty much frozen flavored ice. Not much to it.
You basically take some sugar, water and any other flavoring you like, melt it down then freeze it, then take a spoon and shave the ice so you create a snow-like consistency and serve immediately.
I like to make this dessert in the summer so I have the advantage of using beautiful summer fruits as an accompaniment to the granita that require almost zero effort. Just slicing and serving.
Mint is a wonderfully refreshing herb that will add brightness and a cool flavor to the granita. You could add anything to your granita base just as long as there aren't any large chunks of fruit in it. If you are using any fruit it would be a good idea to place in a blender and get it to a smooth consistency before you freeze just so it's easier to shave when it's frozen.
Got some pulpy orange juice? Freeze it and shave it! Leftover Sangria? Freeze it and shave it! Extra chamomile raspberry tea? Freeze it and shave it!
You get the idea. Pretty much anything an be made into a granita, it's not difficult, and takes little effort. Below is one of my favorite flavor combinations for a cool and refreshing granita.