Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Why it works

Avocado gives the mousse its silky texture and healthy fat, dates sweeten it without refined sugar, and cocoa is rich in polyphenols. It needs a proper blend to lose the avocado texture completely.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-3 medjool dates, pitted
• 3 tbsp milk of choice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Method

1. If your dates are firm, soak them in just-boiled water for 10 minutes and drain - soft dates blend smooth, hard ones leave grit.
2. Scoop the avocado into a small food processor or blender. Add the cocoa, dates, milk, vanilla and salt.
3. Blend for a full 2 minutes, stopping two or three times to scrape down the sides, until it is completely smooth with no green or brown flecks and no graininess.
4. Taste. Add another date or a little more milk if you want it sweeter or looser, and blend again.
5. Spoon into two small glasses and chill for at least 20 minutes to firm up and let the flavour settle. Top with berries or chopped nuts.

Swaps

A very ripe banana instead of the dates. A tablespoon of nut butter makes it richer.