Meals That Heal – Chocolate Avocado Fudge
Turn the star guacamole ingredient into a creamy fudge enjoying a dessert that is not only good to eat – but good for you!
Eastern View: Few foods from the plant kingdom echo the heavy richness of fine cheeses, creams and butter as does the avocado. Avocado melts in your mouth like brie or ice cream, and provides the creaminess that most associate exclusively with dairy, but is actually an oily berry.
Although avocado is unusually high in fats, it has no cholesterol and is an excellent choice for those wanting to lose weight. Avocado can be a very satisfying replacement for butter, cheese, and even creamy desserts, moderating your appetite for these less-healthy foods. Plus, it provides the healthy fats your body needs, essential Omega 3’s and 6’s which are necessary for a healthy metabolism. This buttery green fruit is also packed with vitamins, minerals and even complete proteins.
Avocado grounds while it nourishes Vata. Its heaviness is comforting and calming, redirecting attention inward. Avocado can be compared to mushrooms for the earthy qualities it can impart; it combines well with any foods (bitters and sours) that improve fat digestion and metabolism.
The avocado’s heavy, oily, and cool qualities lubricate the intestines and moisten dry lungs. Eating this nourishing food helps soothe the joints, moisturize dry hair, skin and nails, and enhance libido – all Vata problems. Avocado strongly builds ojas, (vitality) and is an excellent rejuvenating food.
Western View:These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood… which is not surprising given its health properties. They contain more potassium than bananas and potassium is a nutrient that most people aren’t getting enough of. This nutrient helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells and serves various important functions. Several studies show that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
Avocado is a high fat food. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don’t just contain any fat… the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil and Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.
Meals That Heal - Chocolate Avocado Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 oz bittersweet or dark chocolate (70 percent cocoa or higher), chopped
- 1 large avocado, pitted and pureed
- ⅓ cup organic full-fat coconut milk (canned)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Stevia to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Raw pistachios (or other nuts), chopped
Instructions
- Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the excess to hang over the sides.
- Heat all ingredients except pistachios in a medium glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (making sure bowl doesn’t touch water), stirring until chocolate has completely melted and mixture is smooth.
- Add nuts, and stir to incorporate.
- Scrape mixture into prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the top.
- Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and preferably overnight. (The longer it chills, the firmer it gets, but this is still soft fudge.)
- Use parchment paper to lift fudge out of pan and to a cutting board. Peel off parchment paper and cut into 1-inch pieces. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.
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In health,
