Pumpkin & Pomegranate

I think it is a mixture of Summer, gluttony, and a need for something different but I have been big into the raw stuff lately. My boyfriend and I have recently gone off dairy. We don’t eat cow, and so we don’t feel comfortable supporting the slaughter of cows.  Unfortunately I have not been able to find a dairy that can support itself without selling off calves to be slaughtered, thus no dairy for me. I am not saying I won’t ever slip up. Like I previously mentioned I am not vegan, but I am doing what I can at this time…and so this pudding is 100% vegan.

It’s also a bit interesting, and much more nutritious than regular pudding. In fact I am pretty sure regular pudding cannot be considered a health food, but this most certainly can. The weirdness is the base, which is an avocado. I personally HATE avocados. But for some weird reason I can eat them like this. When I say I can eat them, what I really mean to say is that I DEVOUR them. M says the pudding is “ok”, but in general his comment tends to be “it’s healthy for me right?” and that seems to be the justification for eating it. When I don’t cook for him I am fairy certain he lives off of pasta, chips ahoy, and bottled Thai peanut sauce. Plus the recent addition of chocolate Rice Dream. My mother was glad I told her the ingredients after she ate it. So she wasn’t thinking about it.

It’s also really really easy to make. A total of 4 ingredients, takes all of 5 minutes from start to finish.

I am not entirely certain my cocoa powder is actually raw, and so I don’t want to mislead, but you CAN buy completely raw cocoa powder.  Last night I opened my new canister of Dagoba Cocoa Powder and used it for the recipe. Previously I had been using leftover Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder, oddly enough the Hershey’s looked darker. I am unsure why though. I imagine Dagoba is a better quality, but I did enjoy the Hershey’s as well. In future I might try grinding my own raw cacao nibs and doing it that way, which would definitely make it raw.

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 very ripe avocado (overripe works)
• 1 ripe banana (but not to the point of being black)
• 2 medjool dates (buy with pits in them, they are more moist)
• 3 T cocoa powder

Method:

1. Remove pits from both the avocado and the dates. Put into food processor.
2. Add banana and cocoa powder. Process until you get to pudding consistency (maybe a minute) scrape down bowl and make sure everything is smooth.
   
3. refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before eating (for the best flavor).

I also like to add shredded coconut on top, it adds a little texture and flavor. Dipping strawberries into it isn’t half bad either.