This raw pudding is refreshing, healthy and an almost instant dessert filled with orange flavor. Made with avocado cocoa powder it’s vegan too!
Yesterday at the checkout counter of the grocery store while piling the $58 worth of produce (seriously…all produce) onto the conveyor belt, the gum popping teenage cashier said to me “so, you’re one of those healthy people, huh?”
Instead of responding with what I wanted to say which was something to the effect of “I take it you’re not?” I just smiled and nodded (very out of character for me) and thought about that statement as she rang up and bagged the items.
Why is it ok to say that when the reverse would be considered rude? Would she ever say to someone piling boxes upon boxes of processed food, chips and soda onto the belt “so, you’re one of those unhealthy people, huh?” Probably not.
I didn’t take offense in fact, I’m proud of being labeled healthy. It was just really interesting to me how the word “healthy” had such a negative connotation to her. Granted, at her age I wasn’t making raw pudding with avocados and passing it off as a dessert, but I also never thought of being “healthy” as bad (nor would I ever have said that to someone but that’s a totally different discussion about the decline of manners in today’s youth!<—half joking/half serious on that one. I realize it makes me sound about 90 years old).
Anyway, that’s kind of deep for a Sunday.
Here’s something that’s not.
How we entertain ourselves on a Saturday night. I’m actually writing this post in that picture.
So raw pudding…
Among that $58 of produce was 3 avocados. Purchased with the intention of trying out this raw pudding thing.
This is definitely no My-T-Fine boxed pudding, but I was shocked at how well the consistency compared.
When I told Ulysses what this was made of his response was “what?! are you crazy, woman?” which I honestly can’t blame him for, it is kind of out there. But, I got him to taste a spoonful and I think his words were “oh, that’s pretty good actually. It’s really refreshing.”
Go figure, he’s not pleased with puff pastry apple pies, but a pudding made of avocados he’s down with.
Men.
This now brings the clean eating chocolate fixes to 2.
That cashier doesn’t know what she’s missing.
Raw Chocolate Orange Pudding
Ingredients
- flesh of 1 orange
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 2 1/2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down sides once or twice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Yum- I reckon the pudding would be really creamy with the avocado. Can you taste the avocado though- or is it just like chocolate pudding?
I would never say that to someone “oh you’re one of those people”. I do find it interesting what is in other peoples baskets though- I like to imagine their life based of what I see. Who knows what someone would think of my low fat milk, apples and bag of sour patch candy!
I don’t think you can really taste the avocado. The cocoa powder and orange do a good job of masking it.
I’m always getting those comments in the grocery store too, but like you, I choose to take it as a compliment!
I have made a very similar raw chocolate-avocado pudding before but honestly, did not like it one bit (truthfully, it made me gag). Maybe the addition of a nice, bright citrus flavor like orange would improve the taste enough for me to enjoy it. I’ll have to give it another shot using your recipe because honestly, if I could satisfy my chocolate cravings with cocoa powder + avocado, I’ll be overjoyed. Thanks!
My husband and I have been making a lot of changes to our diet lately, and this pudding looks kind of perfect. How long does it keep?
Well, it’s been in my fridge for about 36 hours now but I’m about to finish it tonight so I’m not totally sure. I wouldn’t say much past 2-3 days though because of the avocado.
This looks delicious. I have yet to make pudding with avocado but it’s seriously on my “to do soon” list. Seriously seriously. Although I don’t have any oranges, I do have about a ba-zillion lemons. Think that’ll work?
I think lemon would work. I might not put all the zest in like with the orange, but it should give a similar citrus flavor.
I am “today’s youth” and I would never say that to someone. I also wouldn’t pop my gum, but that’s another topic.
I’ve seen some variation of avocado pudding around, but never with banana. I’m going to have to try this once I get my hands on a food processor and avocados go on sale.
For my birthday my sister gave me a face mask that is chocolate avocado and I swear it looks smells like chocolate pudding. I’m never sure if I want to put it on my face or eat it. I kept thinking that I should make avocado chocolate pudding but I hadn’t gotten around to it. I think this is a sign that I should before I eat a spoonful of my mask.
haha! I’m picturing you putting the mask on while also swiping a lick of it!
The more I see cool uses like this for avocado, I think it is a substitute for cream a lot of the time. Coffee with 1 sugar, 2 tsp avocado….maybe not!
What a great idea! The consistency looks nice!
I love using avocado for puddings…it’s the perfect dense, creamy, rich base for making the best puddings with!
Oooh I love chocolate avocado mousse! I made some a few weeks back, forgot about it in the freezer and it turned into delicious ice cream!! Honestly it was fab! And I’m hard to please when it comes to raw vegan ice creams! :) Love your idea of adding orange to it!!