Healthy Minty Chocolate Mousse

I thought I’d try my hand at making a dessert I could enjoy without adding to my intake of saturated fats. In creating this recipe I turned to my many vegan friends, who always seem to be in good health and have lovely glowing skin, for a few pointers.

Serves 4

what you need

For the mousse

2 ripe bananas

1 ripe avocado

6 medjool dates, pips removed

4 tablespoons of water

3 heaped teaspoons of raw cacao powder

2 tablespoons maple syrup

A few drops of mint essence

For the candied orange

1 organic orange

350 g caster sugar 

185 ml water

Mint leaves, organic if you can find them

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what to do

For the mousse

Simply put all the ingredients into a food processor and  blend until smooth. Then divide among four ramekins or dessert glasses and chill in the fridge for an hour or so for a thicker consistency.

For the candied orange slices

place your orange into a small saucepan of cold water, cover with a lid and bring to the boil.Once the orange comes to the boil, drain and rinse under cold water until cool to the touch. Thinly slice orange into 3mm thick rounds.

Preheat the oven to 120ºC.

Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Add the orange slices and peel, shaking the pan so the orange slices are fully submerged, then cover and simmer for 6-7 minutes, or until the sugar has started to thicken. 

Remove the orange slices and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 1 hour or until the slices are no longer sticky to the touch. 

They will continue to dry once they are removed from the oven and cooled. 

Serve with some candied orange and some fresh mint leaves like I've done here, or with your favourite fruit.

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