Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients for the chocolate mousse:

• 2 avocados
• 1 small banana
• 20 gms cocoa
• 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Ingredients for the base:

• 150 gms dates
• Zest of 1 lime
• 2 dessertspoons ground hazelnuts

Ingredients for decoration:

• 140 grams of strawberries or other fresh fruit, e.g. raspberries or peeled and sliced mango
• Fresh mint leaves or edible flowers

Method:

1. Process or mash dates to a paste. Add in ground hazelnut and zest of lime. Shape into 1 large circular base or 4 smaller individual bases. (It may help to use a 3-cm circular ring mould.)
2. Mash the avocados and then the banana; mix together. Sift the cocoa into this mixture and fold together. Sweeten to taste with maple syrup. Place on top of the date base.
3. Chill or freeze for 1 hour to firm up.
4. Decorate the top with slices of strawberry or other fruit; sprinkle fresh mint leaves or edible flowers such as marigold petals around the base.

Recipe from Alix Gardner's Cookery School