Healthy Chocolate Pots

We all love a chocolate dessert. That rich taste of cocoa, fat and sugar is irresistible. In this recipe we acknowledge that, but with a healthy slant which gives you more nutrients and fibre, without losing any of the taste. I made mine for Christmas - hence the fairy lights! But it's a great dessert to serve at any time of year. And this recipe is so EASY you won't believe how good these pots taste!

Here's the HOW TO....:

WHAT YOU NEED

(serves 4, or 6 small portions):

200g chopped dates

two tbsp raw cacao powder

6 digestive biscuits

one packet coconut cream

100g pecan nuts chopped (save 4-6 whole nuts for decorating)

Optional serving addition:

Yogurt

Runny honey

To serve: four small dishes

WHAT YOU DO:

• Soak the dates in just enough hot water to cover, for about 10 minutes

• Drain but keep the liquid

• Blitz all the ingredients in a food processor

• Add any date liquor to loosen if necessary (you are looking for a thick Nutella type consistency)

• Crush the digestive biscuits in your hand until broken into small pieces but not into a crumble

• Hand mix the pieces of biscuit through the mixture

• Put into dishes, add a pecan to decorate and chill to set. Remove from fridge to room temperature 10 minutes before serving.

I served mine with Greek yogurt drizzled with a little runny honey. You could also decorate with desiccated coconut for a Christmas snowy feel!

And what's the WHY?

Dates are nutritional power houses.  Sweet and full of energy, they also give antioxidant protection that can reduce risk factors for many diseases related to oxidative stress, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer's.  Raw cacao powder is expensive but well worth the investment.  Unlike cocoa powder, unadulterated cacao is rich in polyphenols that provide several health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, better blood flow, lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  And pecans have high levels of oleic acid and antioxidants which makes them great for heart health. Regularly eating pecan nuts could help decrease bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, preventing strokes and coronary artery disease.

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