Friday, June 21, 2013

Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding

Raw Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding
sweetened with banana & honey

Today is the first day of summer and the temperature outside is climbing toward 90 degrees.  I'm not tolerating the heat well these days and I feel that I'm in for trouble. We've not turned on the air conditioning yet indoors, but we're going to soon I reckon, regardless of the high cost of keeping cool. 

What is your choice of a refreshing cool drink or a good-for-you snack? Today, I was thinking of something minty to go with a little chocolate—my most favorite food combination ever!

I enjoy watering my few flowers, herbs and small vegetable garden. When I water the chocolate mint plants which have taken over one of my planters, I immediately smell that awesome chocolate minty flavor—you can almost taste it in the air. Pick a leaf and whiff an aroma from heaven . . .

The Chocolate Mint 
in my yard

Adding the leaves to this pudding recipe or in a smoothie adds a refreshing minty flavor. 

Raw Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding
by Kathy's Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 minutes


Enjoy this "Pudding Perfect" chocolate/mint flavor sensation to cool off this summer.
Ingredients (1-2 servings)
  • 1 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
  • 1 ripe banana (sliced)
  • 1 avocado
  • 3 Tbs raw cacao powder
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil
  • 2 Tbs raw local honey
  • 10-20 chocolate mint leaves (or any mint leaves)
Instructions
  • Add all of the above ingredients to a high-powered blender (like Vita-Mix) and blend well. Pour into dessert dishes and refrigerate several hours before eating if you want it cold and a bit firmer.

Try juicing mint, or freezing the leaves in ice cubes. Have you  tried it fresh in your herbal tea? It's also a great addition to your dinner salad. Check out more recipes and read more about this plant that is good for much more than tea.

What are the health benefits of fresh mint? Of course it is great for digestion as you'd imagine green leaves to be, and it's calming effect helps with nausea and indigestion. Mint is commonly used in oral health, killing germs and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. 


Yummy!

Do you like pretty chocolate candy decorations? 
Martha Stewart tells us how to make these easy 



Have you tried this yet? 
How do you use fresh mint in your kitchen?

Linking up with Gluten-Free Cat and Raw Foods Thursdays 
and Intoxicated on Life and Wellness Wednesdays

7 comments:

  1. This post is making me miss my herb garden so much!! Can't wait to get settled in our new place to restart it! Love the idea of mint, cacao, and avocado in one dreamy smoothie. Thanks so much for linking it up to Raw Foods Thursdays!

    Mmmmmmm!

    Heather

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    1. How excited you must be to make a new start in a new place! Thanks so much for hosting Raw Foods Thursdays!

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  2. Mmmm this sounds divine!!!! I love the use of actual mint leaves (which I'm growing on my balcony - super convenient for this recipe) instead of peppermint extract =)

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    1. I'm starting to make more use of my mint; up to now, not so much. Don't you love growing your own? Thanks for stopping by and commenting Kimmy!

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  3. Yum!! This looks delish :)I've got to try those choc dipped mint leaves too! Mint grows like a weed in our garden so I'll have plenty to play with. Thanks for sharing x

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    1. I have to remember those chocolate leaves for the next party dessert around here! Thanks for visiting and taking time to comment.

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  4. We make avocado pudding very frequently over here! I haven't thought about adding mint, but what a great idea! I bet peppermint essential oil would work well, too!

    Thanks for linking up to Wellness Wednedays!

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