No Dairy No Chocolate "Chocolate" Pudding

Horse Girl is using the book Nutrition 101: Choose Life for her health credit this year. Each chapter has a recipe to try that utilizes foods that benefit the particular part of the body that was just studied. We are getting ready to start studying the respiratory system and the first recipe happens to be for chocolate pudding. This recipe intrigued me because it was specifically mentioned at the booth when I was researching the book at the last home school convention and also because I think I'm sensitive to both dairy and chocolate. So, daring to be brave and try something I have never liked, I took the plunge and bought the avocados for the recipe and gave it a shot a few days ago.

Verdict: husband, daughter and I did NOT like it. Son liked it, but said his ears started to feel funny within a few minutes. Husband actually said it tasted like it had a dirty dish rag in it. Daughter and I just thought it tasted odd. It might be an okay recipe if you take it one step at a time and replace the more common ingredients over time. It uses avocado in place of dairy, carob powder in place of cocoa powder and honey in place of sugar.

Here's the recipe if you're interested in trying it.

2 small ripe avocados
1/2 to 3/4 cup Blue Agave Nectar, raw honey, or Grade B Maple syrup
1/4 cup carob powder
2 tablespoons coconut milk or rice milk
1 tablespoon organic vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Make sure the avocados are ripe, as unripened avocados will change the flavor. Place the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth. Chill until serving. Makes about two cups.