lovin' spoonfuls

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 2001 by Kathy Farrell-Kingsley

Low-fat doesn't mean it can't be chocolate

The rich taste of chocolate does not have to be taboo for those on the nutritional straight and narrow. In fact, by trading chocolate for cocoa powder, recipes retain the same delicious flavor, but not the calories and fat, and still satisfy even the most serious chocoholic. The combination of cocoa and cornstarch yields a thick, creamy pudding with an intense chocolate taste. And when you serve this dessert to guests, you'll never hear the backhanded complement "not bad for diet food." You'll just hear, "Mm-mm."

VT recipe        223 calories   5 grams fat
Typical recipe   332 calories   8 grams fat

Chocolate Pudding

SERVES 4

Feeding a crowd? This recipe can easily be doubled.

2 1/4 cups 1% fat milk or soy milk
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 Tbs. cornstarch
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Raspberries (optional)
Shaved chocolate (optional)

1. In heavy medium saucepan, combine 2 cups milk, 1/4 cup sugar and salt; bring to a boil. In medium bowl, mix cornstarch, cocoa and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup milk until smooth. Whisk hot milk mixture into bowl and return to saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring. Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. In small bowl, beat egg with fork. Whisk 1 cup hot mixture into egg, then whisk back into hot mixture. Cook, stirring over medium-low heat, without boiling, 2 minutes. Stir in vanilla.

3. Pour pudding into serving glasses. To prevent skin from forming, place sheets of wax paper directly on surface of pudding. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours. If desired, top with raspberries and shaved chocolate just before serving.

PER SERVING: 223 CAL.; 9G PROT.; 5G TOTAL FAT (2G SAT. FAT); 43G CARB.; 59MG CHOL.; 89MG SOD.; 4G FIBER

VARIATION: Make pudding and pour into a ready-made chocolate cookie pie crust. Top with lightly sweetened whipped topping.

KATHY FARRELL-KINGSLEY is food editor of Vegetarian Times.