Easy Chocolate Pie

My Search for Optimum Health, Part XI

By Lief Let USS

The recipe below is one I turn to when I need a dessert that is delicious, quick to make and appealing to both raw vegans and those who normally would not go near raw food. The inclusion of avocados, as a main ingredient, is surprising to those who have never tried this before. It makes the filling rich and creamy without a trace of avocado flavor.

The Crust :

-          2 cups of nuts (almonds, pecans or hazelnuts are good choices, as are hemp seed or sprouted buckwheat, if one is allergic to nuts).

-          10 -12 pitted medjool dates or 1/3 cup agave syrup.

-          Unsweetened shredded coconut - enough to sprinkle on the bottom of the pie plate so that the crust does not stick.

The Filling:

-          3 ripe avocados.

-          10-12 pitted medjool dates.

-          3-4 Tbsps. agave syrup, depending on how sweet you like it. The dates will already sweeten to the taste of those who are not fans of sweetness.

-          1 cup raw cacao powder.

-          1-2 Tbsps. melted coconut butter or olive oil (optional).

-          1½ Tbsps. non-alcohol vanilla extract or the scrapings from 1 vanilla bean.

-          Zest of one orange or 2-3 drops of food grade essential mint oil.

To Make the Crust:

Grind the nuts either in a coffee grinder or directly in the food processor. If in a coffee grinder, then add the nuts, pitted dates and agave together in a food processor and process until the mixture is well combined.  Add the mixture to a pie plate that you have sprinkled with coconut. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate.

To Make The Filling:

Soak the dates in enough water to cover them for 5 - 10 minutes to soften.

In a food processor, process the dates, vanilla, zest or mint oil and melted coconut butter or olive oil into a smooth paste. It may be necessary to add a little of the date water to obtain a smooth paste. Once smooth, add the avocados that you have scooped out of their skins, having discarded the pits. Process well until smooth. Add the cacao and process until smooth again.

To Assemble the Pie:

Spoon the chocolate filling into the pie crust and top decoratively with cut up fruit (orange sections, raspberries or blueberries). Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 days.