Foodie Friday: Prepare to Have Your Socks Knocked Off

So…I may be going a bit over-board when I say that your socks will be knocked off. But I was personally S.H.O.C.K.E.D. by what I made last night.

Chocolate.

Easy.

Healthy.

Delicious.

It had me at chocolate.

I must explain WHY I went searching online for a recipe such as the one I am about to share. (I know you wouldn’t have it any other way.)

I went to Meijer on Wednesday to pick up some more asparagus and pineapple before they went off sale on Thursday morning. Yes, I may be a little crazy like that.

As an aside, I was glad to see, however, when I went to the store yesterday for my usual weekly shopping trip, that the asparagus did not, in fact, go off sale, as I thought it was going to. Which will mean another trip back next Wednesday, to stock up again. Just in case.

I only buy asparagus when it’s in season and cheap.

But I digress.

While I was there, I took a spin through the entire produce department. I was delighted to see the “clearance” section filled to the brim with (and this will be shocking): produce.

Actually it is kind of shocking because sometimes it also contains bulk candy items they are trying to pawn off. Never anything good...things like black licorice jelly beans. I'm sure my grandma is reading this thinking, "Well, that sounds good!" She loves black licorice. So does my 10yo. It's a sickness really.

But Wednesday , the racks were mostly green peppers and avocados.

I bought some of each. They were marked $1/bag, with four items per bag.

So I came home with 4 avocados and 4 bell peppers as well as my asparagus and pineapple.

It was a fruitful (and veggie-ful) trip. Yes, I know that joke was bad but I couldn’t resist.

So, one can only eat so much guacamole, right? Well, I really like it, but I didn’t want to make four avocados worth of it.

So I Googled “avocado recipes”.  At first I got the usual fare of salads and sandwiches. Which was mostly what I expected.

And then by happenstance...a miracle, if you will...I came across a most intriguing recipe.

Something for which I had all the necessary ingredients (which rarely, if ever, happens when I Google a recipe for a specific ingredient).

And something chocolatey. Which was NOT what I would think of when I think of avocado recipes.

What I am about to share with you is my modified version…very similar to the original, but I did have to tweek it. According to my limited research, the way I have prepared it, it is NOT vegan. Not that I was going for that…just a little fun-fact for you.

So…all this build-up. Are you ready?

ABC (and some H) Pudding

• 1 ½ to 2 avocados (obviously just the center scooped out and the pit disposed of...and please don't eat the skin!)
• 5 very ripe bananas
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5T honey (this is what you would leave out in order to make it vegan)

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into serving cups and chill for at least an hour. Sprinkle on a little bit more cocoa powder for garnish, if desired. Serves 4-5.

I have to say, the family all really liked it. They were surprised by it actually…I don’t usually “do pudding”. 

And I will confess that ours wasn’t as smooth as it could be. My Kitchen Aid mixer wouldn’t achieve that creamy texture of a blender. My blender decided to quit working after I put all the ingredients in the pitcher this evening...thus the attempt with the mixer.

I love it when that happens. Although the good news was that I didn't have to mes with cleaning a blender...I simply got to throw it away. The mixer is WAY easier to clean.

But even with that slight mishap, no one suspected that it had avocados. You could definitely taste the bananas and the chocolate, but not the honey or avocados.

And for the record, I, myself, tasted it without the honey...and found it to be too bitter.

Perhaps that is just my sugar addiction talking.

But if you are so brave, feel free to experiment and let me know what you create!

And BTW, Mr. Always Random and the PBA are still none the wiser about the avocados. Unless they read the blog...then I guess the jig is up.

Have a fabulous day!