Being mindful of one’s diet is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Certain foods, and particularly many desserts, are not exactly synonymous with healthy eating. Thankfully, many chefs and home cooks experiment with different ingredients to make sweets a little bit less indulgent. Take for example, chocolate mousse, which can be delicious, but a tad heavy when loaded with dairy. However, “Vegan Chocolate Mousse” is made with avocado at the base. That’s notable because avocado contains hearthealthy fats that make the dessert a little better for you than more traditional alternatives.
Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Les Dames d’Escoffier new York Cookbook: Stirring the Pot” (American Palate) by Silvia Baldini & Sharon Franke.
VEGAN CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Makes 4 servings
•2 large ripe avocados
•1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
•6 to 8 tablespoons maple syrup •2 tablespoons nondairy milk •1 teaspoon vanilla extract •1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
•1/2 cup fresh berries, for topping
•1/4 cup walnuts, crushed, for topping Add avocado, unsweetened cocoa, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, vanilla, and salt to a food processor and puree until creamy. Divide mousse into 4 cups; top with fresh berries and crushed nuts.

Photo sourced from Metro Creative







