Chocolate Avocado Pudding (vegan)

You were mildly intrigued by this title that hints at unusual pairings, but wary.  Keep reading.  I was having a craving for something chocolaty and rich, but didn't want to have something that is the caloric equal of a few pounds of butter (astounding, I know.)  A friend of mine shared this recipe with me last year, and it's a nutritious and tasty alternative to a calorie bomb buttery, chocolate dessert.

It's also pretty easy, no-cook recipe, and who doesn't love that?  A short list of ingredients, and no added sugar.  You're probably thinking, "Sure, sounds like it would taste terrible."  I was skeptical at first, but, as they say, "the proof is in the pudding!"

My apologies for the lameness of that pun.  Moving on.

One little thing that I do with it that can be putzy, but helpful, is soaking the dates.  This is to loosen and peel off the papery, tough skin.  I don't care much for that texture in my pudding.  HOWEVER, if you have a pretty good food processor, and it's powerful, it'll grind everything down so that's not a concern and you can skip this step!

I would recommend, though, that you take the seeds out of the dates.  They sort of look like bugs, no?  Save that for a fun prank some day....

Also, you don't need a lot of this pudding, as it's quite rich.  A little goes a long way.  A more nutritious chocolate fix - yay!

Chocolate Avocado Pudding (vegan)

(from the Crazy Sexy Diet book)

Makes 4-6 small servings

1 ripe avocado, pitted

8-10 pitted dates (depending on the size of dates and avocado that you're using), soaked if necessary (I peel off the tough outer layer, but a great food processor would likely take care of it)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

4 heaping tablespoons cocoa or 2 tablespoons carob powder

1/2 cup coconut water (or plain water)

Place the first four ingredients in a food processor, and begin blending.

Drizzle in the water, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl if need be, until the mixture resembles a thick chocolate pudding.  Let it continue mixing until smooth and creamy.

Enjoy!