Ali Thomas, RDN, CD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health, shows us how to make a quick, simple, plant-based dessert: Chocolate Cherry Mousse.
Watch the video: Nourishing Knowledge: Chocolate Cherry Mousse
Why it’s healthy
This Chocolate Cherry Mousse, with just four ingredients, is nutrient-dense, rich in flavor and antioxidants.
Avocados are a great source of fiber. They're full of healthy fats and are great for heart health.
Cherries are also a great source of antioxidants, as well as other vitamins and minerals that can help with muscle recovery, reducing inflammation and increase melatonin, which can help improve sleep.
Dutch processed cocoa powder provides a richer chocolate flavor and retains its antioxidants during processing, compared to regular cocoa powder.
Medjool dates lend sweetness and add additional fiber and more antioxidants.
Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Mousse
1 ripe avocado, pit removed*
1 1/2 cups frozen pitted cherries, thawed**
2 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder
4 pitted Medjool dates
- Add all the ingredients to the blender.
- Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times to make sure all the ingredients are nice and smooth.
- Serve immediately or keep it chilled in the fridge until ready to use. You can also add some toppings of your choice, such as more chocolate, chopped fruits or granola for some crunch.
*Did you know you can freeze avocados? When they’re ripe, remove the pit and skin, slice or mash them, and place them in a freezer bag to store for use.
**You can use fresh cherries, just make sure they're pitted and ripe. However, the frozen cherries provide extra juice that makes it easier to blend and give a smoother texture.
This can be enjoyed as a fun dessert or even a decadent breakfast. Enjoy!
