BANANA CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Carob powder and raw cacao powder can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Carob is a chocolate alternative, for people who don’t do caffeine or stimulants – or don’t want caffeine before bedtime. It is a pulse that doesn’t taste exactly like chocolate but has a similar flavour. Raw cacao is chocolate in its purest form and it is Paleo friendly. This lovely mousse is great topped with berries, nuts, coconut flakes, and so on. Kids absolutely love this healthy dessert, too!

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

● 10 dates, pitted and soaked in water for around three hours ● 1 ripe banana, peeled and roughly sliced

● 3 ripe avocados, stoned, flesh scooped out of shells

● 120ml maple syrup

● 4tbsp raw honey (local if possible)

● 60g raw cacao powder or carob powder

● 2tsp vanilla extract

1 Put the drained dates in a food processor and process for one minute. (The dates will form a ball. This is fine.)

2 Add the banana and avocado and process for another minute. Add the syrup, honey, cacao and vanilla extract and process for a further minute.

3 Chill the mousse in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. Stored in an airtight container, it will keep in the fridge for up to three days.