As you know, I am always on the look-out for dairy-free versions of my favorite desserts, which is no small task considering that my list of beloved confections is well onto it's 10th page. I love desserts. If I had my druthers, I would eat butter-cream frosted cakes and creamy chocolate mousse for breakfast, lunch and dinner... and I would eat chocolate chip cookies and other assorted pastries for snacks in between! Alas. Lactose-intolerance - and okay, COMMON SENSE - has ruined all hopes of me indulging in my rather childish dream. That's not to say that I don't occasionally fantasize about entering a pastry shop and leaving with a weeks-worth of wonderful white boxes tied with candy-cane-colored string.
No. I am a grown-up. I am a lactose intolerant grown-up and I eat vegetables and fruit and healthy meals that include small portions of lactose-free desserts. And if I have a free moment, I scour the internet for little rays of hope amongst the black cloud of living with dairy issues.
Today, I discovered this recipe on Sharon Hilton's blog Food Farm Health:
Delicious, "Creamy," Non-Dairy Raspberry Mousse.
Raspberry Mousse (serves 3-4)
1 can coconut milk (we use Native Forest)
1/2 tsp agar agar powder
1/2 tsp gluten-free vanilla extract
2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
1/3 cup honey (or other liquid sweetener if you're vegan)
In a blender, place raspberries and honey. In a medium saucepan, bring coconut milk, agar agar and vanilla to a rapid boil. Whisk continuously for several minutes. Remove coconut mixture from heat and place in blender. Mix everything thoroughly. Pour immediately into dessert cups and place in the refrigerator. Allow 4-6 hours to cool and set. Top with raspberries - or not - and serve!
Note: it will set faster if you use frozen fruit.
Yes! You read that correctly! Dairy-free mousse! How I've longed for mousse! What a wonderful dream come true. And I would be willing to bet that this recipe could be adapted to create chocolate mousse! How wonderful! Thank you, Sharon Hilton!
Sharon's blog includes many dairy-free recipes. I've added it to my blog list on the right, so please feel free to check her out.
