Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Zico Coconut Water

As a newly appointed #teamzico ambassador, there were so many ideas running about in my head as to what to make that I literally had no idea where to start. Until a friend invited me over for dinner and I shunned her suggestion of ice cream for pudding (lactose-free, me) and decided to bring my own. Call me a pushy dinner guest but if I’m the one with weird eating requirements I should at least make it easy for my host.

Being short of time, I also wanted something quick. And light; there’s nothing worse than an overly rich pudding that makes you feel like an overloaded slug. So I decided to make one of my favourite puddings, a chocolate avocado mousse type pudding. However, I wanted to spice it up a bit so I totally revamped it. And you know what? It was GOOD. Instead of using coconut milk, I swapped in Zico coconut water and added cacao nibs and almonds for extra crunch. Oh, and cinnamon for a touch of warmth.

For this recipe, you need some kind of blender – I found a hand blender worked really well (you can pick one up for under £10 online or from large supermarkets such as Sainsburys) but you can also use a Nutribullet if you have one. You can also pick up Zico from most supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and online at Amazon.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 6 heaped tablespoons of raw cacao powder
• 4 heaped tablespoons of cacao nibs
• 4 tablespoons of raw honey (or coconut palm sugar)
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil, melted
• 3 handfuls of almonds
• 1/3 cup of Zico coconut water
• 1 pinch Himalayan sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• Desiccated coconut for decoration

Method

1. Blend the avocado, raw cacao powder, cacao nibs, almonds, cinnamon and sea salt together.
2. Add the honey and blend until mixed in well and do the same for the coconut oil.
3. Add the coconut water, a little at a time, blending as you go.
4. Once everything is as smooth as you can get it (unless you light it with added crunch), have a little taste and check for sweetness. If needed, add a little more honey.
5. Spoon into a jar, sprinkle on the desiccated coconut, seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Serve chilled and eat immediately.

Depending on how much you’ve eaten before, this serves at least 4 people. It doesn’t last too long so make it fresh and keep it for no longer than a few days.

Let me know what you think!

For more Zico inspiration have a look at:

• Facebook /ZICOUK
• Twitter @ZICO_London
• Instagram @ZICO_UK