RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Being mindful of one's diet is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Certain foods, and particularly many desserts, are not exactly synonymous with healthy eating. Thankfully, many chefs and home cooks experiment with different ingredients to make sweets a little bit less indulgent. Take, for example, chocolate mousse, which can be delicious, but a tad heavy when loaded with dairy. However, Vegan Chocolate Mousse is made with avocado at the base. That's notable because avocados contain heart-healthy fats that make the dessert a little healthier for you than more traditional alternatives.

Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of Les Dames d'Escoffier New York Cookbook: Stirring the Pot (American Palate) by Silvia Baldini & Sharon Franke.

INGREDIENTS:

2 large ripe avocados

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

6 to 8 Tablespoons maple syrup

2 Tablespoons non-dairy milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 cup fresh berries, for topping

1/4 cup walnuts, crushed, for topping

DIRECTIONS:

Add avocado, unsweetened cocoa, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, vanilla, and salt to a food processor and puree until creamy. Divide mousse into 4 cups; top with fresh berries and crushed nuts.