The Ugly Duckling Gets His Due

You're probably thinking this looks a lot like the chocolate mousse I posted over a month ago. But it is a very different creature. This is chocolate coconut pudding and the secret is tofu. Before you stop reading, hear me out. If you are incredulous about the merits of tofu this is exactly the recipe to convert you. Yeah, yeah, heard that teaser before. What makes this dish different is that the tofu is there for consistency and body and it does a marvelous job of both. There is no beany, weird taste.

It makes a luscious, creamy pudding that takes about five minutes and is packed with protein. What's not to love?

Chocolate Coconut Pudding

Makes 4 cups

1 cup coconut milk

Dash of cinnamon (optional)

1/4 cup agave nectar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1 12.3 ounce box Lite silken firm tofu, drained

1 teaspoon vanilla (or coconut extract if you want more punch)

Bring the coconut milk to a boil. Add the agave, cocoa and salt and bring back up to a boil. Whisk to combine.

Place the drained tofu in the container of the Vita-Mix. Add the cocoa mixture and the vanilla. Start on variable #1. Increase to #10, then high. Run for about a minute, using the tamper to get any stubborn cocoa from the sides.

Pour into a lidded container and chill for at least 2 hours.