Amazing Chocolate Pudding

This has been my guilt-free pleasure this last week and it is time I shared it with you.  I really enjoy this funky version of chocolate pudding.  As you read the ingredients, I am sure you will cringe your nose and say "Is she out of her mind?".  No, I am not and I hope your curiosity will get you to try it too.  IF you are not a fan of chocolate and banana, chances are it will not be your favorite like mine, but it is still worth trying for nothing other than a great food story.

I need to give credit here where it is due.  I did not create this recipe...although I wish I had!  I heard of it via friends who purchased a cookbook called "Simply Balanced" put together by the team leading the 8 Week Challenge.  I believe the only change I made was removing the lemon juice.  I think it is ingenious how they recreate the mouth-feel of instant boxed pudding through the use of avocado and banana!  Who thinks of that?!?  Plus it is all healthy.

Amazing Chocolate Pudding

1 avocado *
1 banana (as ripe as you like them)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 Tbsp Applebutter (Wellesely brand is my favorite)
1 cup Rice Milk *
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Plain yogurt for topping*
Fresh fruit cut up for topping (peach and strawberry are my faves)
 

Place all ingredients in a food processor or use in a bowl with a hand processor and puree until smooth.  Chill for an hour or two. Before serving, be sure to top the pudding with yogurt and fresh fruit.
Makes approx 3 cups of pudding.

Cook's Notes:

Here is a great way to peel an avocado...cut the avocado in half and then in half again.  Instead of using a spoon to scoop it out, just peel the peel away.  It leaves you the most avocado and one less dirty utensil! 

Rice Milk is naturally sweet so it offers extra sweetness when used in this recipe.  If you choose a different type of milk (almond, soy or cow's milk), you may need to add a little extra apple butter to sweeten.

Be sure to dress up your dessert pudding with plain yogurt as it contrasts the chocolate flavour beautifully.  Sounds odd but the tartness of the yogurt works well with it.  Also lessens the flavour of banana as well.  Plus who does not love chocolate and fruit?  Fresh cut fruit is a must for us.