Chocolate Pudding

Borrowed this latest taste-treat from Chef Del's "Better than Vegan" Cookbook.   Had to change-up the sweetener portion of the recipe since I did not have enough dates to make the 'date syrup' per the recipe instructions. However, I did have date sugar (not really sugar at all but ground dried dates) on the pantry shelf and a few Medjool dates.  So I whipped up a suitable substitute.

Hankering for a chocolate fix?  This could be your next favorite new thing.  I made myself two pudding cups  for the refrigerator and froze the rest in ice cube trays.  Want to try some in the blender when I'm craving some 'nice cream.'

1 12-oz package silken tofu, drained

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup BEST DATE SYRUP EVER (click here for a recipe)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

pinch of sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth and creamy.  Refrigerate until well chilled.

Here's the sweetener I used...1 c. water, 1/4 cup date sugar, liquid stevia to taste and two whole dates (pits removed----hahahaha  Forgot to remove pits and when I put everything in my blender I heard this GRATING sound and remembered "I forgot the pits!!"  What a mess removing them at that point in the production.  HA!  But I did...too many yummy ingredients to waste...and removed them both).  You can simmer this on the stovetop, like I did...or just throw it all in the blender with the other ingredients.  I'm not sure it makes much difference in taste, the way I did it.  

YUMMERS!