It's Dessert Time! Recipe #5 - Banana Chocolate Mousse!

Hello Friends!

New year, new goals, and without fail, new hiccups. I missed my post last week because of poor planning and am late this week (should have posted yesterday!) for the same reason. Well, better late than never!

After a busy week and feeling more tired than usual, I've managed to stay out of the path of the flu bug and I'd like to credit that to listening to my body and resting to stay strong. So, for that I am NOT sorry for being late!  

In this recipe challenge, we've done a savory breakfast recipe, a full dinner, a side dish, and a snack. So, what's missing? DESSERT!  I'm always looking for tasty, rich, and healthy options for desserts. I like to try out the recipes before bringing to events or pot lucks, but it's always nice to share whole food, healthy options that still taste great!

Page 177 in "Eat Drink Shine" is Banana Chocolate Mousse!  

For this recipe, I made a run to my local Fresh Thyme store. While I had a couple items in my pantry, I needed to pick up the fresh ingredients and really enjoy roaming the aisles to see what interesting new offerings they have. I swear, it's the prettiest grocery store in town! While I can't usually afford to do my weekly shopping there (for cost and variety reasons), I really enjoy recipe trips there.

So, let's get started with the ingredients:

• 10 dates, pitted and soaked in water for 2-3 hours.
• 1 ripe banana, peeled and roughly sliced
• 3 ripe avocados, pitted and flesh scooped out of shells
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder or carol powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

I often have both organic maple syrup and raw honey in the pantry, but I was running low on honey, so picked that up, along with the avocados, cacao powder and dates.  

As I prepped the ingredients, it occurred to me again that I don't have a food processor. I have a magic bullet and a Blendtec blender, and while I was able to hobble the two together to make this recipe work, I feel like it's time to go ahead and get myself a new kitchen toy. I've heard a rumor that Blendtec has a food processor "attachment" and that would make me SUPER happy. I do so love my blender. It just doesn't work as well when there's no liquid or when there isn't enough substance to what needs processed. It just gets knocked to the outside walls of the pitcher.

This recipe goes together very quickly:

• Place the drained dates in the food processor (magic bullet!) and process for 1 minute. The dates may ball up, but that is fine. (mine didn't, but it took a couple of stops/scrapes/restarts to get up to the minute and fully smooth out the dates.)
  Add the banana and avocados and process another minute. (This is where I moved to the Blendtec - there just wasn't room in the bullet!)
  Add maple syrup, honey, cacao and vanilla and process for 1 minute.
• Chill the mousse in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving (I chilled over night). Store in an airtight container; it will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  
  I garnished with a shake of cacao powder and powdered sugar for contrast. I bet some fresh whipped cream on top with a sprig of mint would be amazing, too!

Divine Cocoa (raw cacao powder)

Of note:
First - How delicious is the smell, texture and taste of raw cacao? Wow... I thought "man, this little container is a little pricey and the package sure is pretty, but can it be worth it?"  Yes. Yes it is. The sense of smell can transport you to places you've been, places you've imagined or dreamed of, and just after popping the top off this little jar, I was GONE to a far off land of rich tastes and smells, and dreaming of decadent desserts, sweet mixed with spice, and warm sun on my face. Snap out of it, Jen!

Second - I've discovered that I prefer a much more mild banana flavor - so over ripe bananas aren't really my thing. I prefer a just-turned-yellow 'naner over the dark and ripe fruit. So, for future iterations of this recipe I'll use bananas that are closer to that new yellow stage. However, if you're a fan of a strong banana flavor, you'll LOVE this recipe.

This mouse is a thick, smooth, gorgeously dark chocolate treat. It smells divine (see what I did there?) and tastes like a big time splurge. 

Speaking of splurge, here's what it cost me to make it:

• Avocados - $.99 each - $2.97
• Dates - $2.34 (enough dates to make 2 batches and still sneak a few for snacks)
• Banana - I always have bananas on hand, but if you had to get them, you can usually get a bunch at $.59 per pound.
• Maple Syrup - Again, had this on hand, but for the good stuff you can expect to spend around $5.
• Cacao Powder - This is a little spendy, but in my opinion TOTALLY worth it. I can't wait to find another recipe that calls for it. $4.69
• Raw honey - I was running lo, so picked this up and a 16oz jar was $5.99. I chose raw, organic honey.  I have 3/4 of the jar left, so it'll be a while before I have to buy another bottle.
• Vanilla - Another pantry staple!

I gobbled up my portion, here's how pretty the other 3 were!

This recipe makes 4 generous servings, I'd say over a full cup each. Because of how rich it is, it could easily be split to 6 servings.  Grand Total: $21.58 or just $3.59 per person (with the 6 servings). 

The upside is, of course that once you have the pantry stocked, you could whip this up with a few items that need used up (bananas and avocados always seem to be in this category for me!). 

This mouse can also be used, according to the tip in the recipe book, as a vegan chocolate frosting or topping for cakes, cupcakes and ice cream. Now you're talking! I thought to myself while giving this a final wisking that it was a wonderful consistency for frosting or layered cake filling. 

What are your go-to healthy dessert recipes? I'd love to give one a try, so send it my way! Reach out in the comments! Sharing is caring, right?!

Until next time, here's to healthy meals, warm kitchens and full tummies! 

<3 Jen