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Speaking of recipes… you may want to stop at the grocery store on the way home because I’ve got a treat for you.
I spent quite a bit of time making dessert these past few weeks. While my sweet tooth remains, my will to stand over a hot stove for hours has gone right back to the North Pole with Saint Nick. So has my tolerance for a sugar-induced stomachache.
Enter chocolate mousse. I love mousse because it’s rich, you can eat it with a spoon, and just feels a little more special than your regular Wednesday night dessert. It’s like ice cream’s classier cousin, in town from Europe. The thing about chocolate mousse, though, is that it’s kind of a production to make. You have to beat eggs, refrigerate it for hours… not exactly the kind of thing you can make on a whim.
This bad boy, though, takes five minutes. No, really… only five! It also happens to be dairy-free and filled with protein and antioxidants, but that’s neither here nor there. I’ve made other versions of vegan chocolate mousse that are loaded with sweetener and taste more sugary than chocolatey. This is just sweet enough, and will satisfy your craving for a decadent dessert.
FIVE MINUTE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (vegan)
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 1-lb block organic silken tofu
- 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2.5 T cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 t vanilla
- 2- 3 t agave nectar (start with 2, and add more if you want it sweeter)
- fruit for garnish (optional)
Melt chocolate chips and stir in cocoa powder, making sure there are no lumps. Combine with tofu, vanilla and agave in food processor and mix until smooth. Pour into individual dishes and garnish; chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
You can get really creative with the flavors of your mousse! I’m already planning on making batches of Grand Marnier (sub bourbon for vanilla, add 1/2 t orange zest) and Mexican Chocolate (add 1 t cinnamon and 1/8 t cayenne).
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I spent the rest of the night doing exactly what I wanted: reading in bed. New York City apartments don’t always get the best heat on winter evenings, so you have to pile on layers and covers and leave as little exposed skin as possible. (It’s only around 4 AM that you wake up soaked in sweat when the heat comes on full-blast.)
I just started The Tiger’s Wife, and I’m already completely sucked in. I can’t tell you exactly what it’s about; I’ve stopped reading the backs of books because I like to be completely surprised. (Room was also ruined for me in a one-line book review in the paper.)You can read an excerpt of it here.
It’s been a while since I’ve found a really good book that I can’t put down, but getting lost in fiction is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It’s the reason why I was an English major, worked in publishing, and have hundreds of volumes on my bedroom bookshelves. (I really need to do a good deep-cleaning, but that’s a project for another day.) I’ve kept a list of the books I’ve read since 2002; I keep it in the Filofax I had in 8th grade. Remember the Filofax?! I’m up to 513.
This past year, I’ve read 46 books. I didn’t fall in love with all of them, but here are my favorites:
There are a lot of books in a stack by my bed that I am very excited about… I’ll let you know when I read a good one!
Get your read on: Protocol To Treat Anorexia Is Faulted; No Meat, No Dairy, No Problem: Recipes for the Semi-Vegan
What have you read and loved lately?
Thank you for the book list!!!! My bestie and I were just talking about how we need a few new books to read! 46 is a ton!!! I think I did about 30. Maybe I’ll start my own list!
I remember the freezing/ burning times in my NYC apartment. Since I live in Jersey now I think I’m more afraid of my electric bill than Ol’ Man Winter!!! I hope we can all stay warm at least until Saturday when it should be 50 again.
I love tofu mousses! So quick and healthy too. I have the Hunger Games trilogy on my shelf, I must start reading them!
I was just talking about chocolate desserts using tofu. Thanks for the recipe inspiration! I really might make this tonight.
And the book recommendations are very appreciated as well. My “to read” list for 2012 is quickly growing. Right now I’m working on “The Art of Fielding,” a Christmas gift from my little brother. So far, so good!
I am about halfway through This Beautiful Life (about UWS teen sexting) and I can already tell it’s going to be among the best I’ve read in a while. Although the second half might suck.
i’m not sure WHY exactly, but when I find out a fellow blogger is a fan of reading and offers book recommendations, I get SO EXCITED! It’s like the book club I always tried to make work in my early 20′s that never stuck!
My favorite reads of the past year or so:
(im going to guess you’ve read some or most of these, because I am always so “behind the times” with trends in reading, music, etc.)
A Good Hard Look by Ann Napolitano
Fire in the Blood by Irene Némirovsky
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
The Unprofessionals by Julie Hecht
This has always been one of my most favorite desserts! The thought of using tofu in it kind of scares and intrigues me all at the same time!
I love that you’ve kept track of all the books you’ve read! I wish I had done that! I was an English major too, so I’ve got shelves upon shelves of glorious books:)
I used to keep track, and then lost the notebook, and that was that. I love that you read nearly a book a week, and tried nearly 2 new recipes a week. That’s amazing.
I loved Winter’s Bone too. One of my goals is to try some non-fiction. I’m going to start with Pulphead–a highly-recommended collection of essays.
Are you on goodreads? I have found so many interesting books that I probably never would have found on my own, it’s my new favorite website!!!
LOVED Tiger’s Wife. I hope you enjoy!
I love your filofax! I started keeping track of my books last year (hit 100- even with starting grad school in August! I had some glorious summer days of reading book after book on my Nook. Miss those). I used to keep the list in my planner, but then switched planners for the new year… so now I have a pocket-sized Moleskine I keep the list in (and yes, I transferred my 2011 books over, too. Boring days at work call for boring menial tasks). I’m excited to check out some of your recommendations
The Tiger’s Wife looks interesting!
I read the link to the NYT article on anorexia and oh my god I’m struck by the contrast between treatment in the UK and America. Is 6 weeks really considered a long admission? Is this proposal to use more “aggressive” (I can’t believe they used that word) re-feeding just to save costs? I can’t imagine the psychological and physical trauma, I suffered severe oedema from refeeding and wouldn’t wish it on anybody. Also have you suffered from an ED in the past or did you just find the article interesting? (please don’t feel pressure to answer that, it is a personal question on a public forum and you don’t know me although i have been reading your blog for a while now
)
First time visitor here, I actually found your blog trying to trace the name of the Filofax you’re using (saw the picture in google images)! I keep a list of books I’d like to read in my ‘Fax, as well, for authors who have so many books that when I see one in a charity shop or dump bin, I might not remember if I’ve read it. Can I be cheeky and ask you what the name of that Filofax model is, please? I’m looking out for one on e-Bay but can’t remember if it’s called the Urban, or something else…