Mar 3, 2013

Dairy-free Lemon Pudding


Dairy-free Lemon Pudding (132)

This dairy-free, low-fat lemon pudding is a thing of dreams! It's bold in flavor and richness but not in calories and is made with just 6 simple ingredients, including one you would never imagine...

Cauliflower! Crazy? I know!

Dairy-free Lemon Pudding (94)

Please welcome today's guest poster and holistic nutritionist, Leanne Vogul of Healthful Pursuit.

Hi Everyone, I'm pretty excited to be sharing this recipe with you today but first, let's chat about dairy! Many of us are allergic to it, sensitive to it, or have developed a love hate relationship with it. We eat, we enjoy, our stomachs hurt, our complexion suffers, but we just can't imagine a life without the good stuff. Taking the dairy-free lifestyle for a test drive or committing to it because of sensitivities can be a challenge... but it doesn't have to be this way! After a decade of being dairy-free and learning what it takes to thrive on the diet, I created the Done with Dairy Toolkit a (free) guide to living dairy-free with loads of dairy-free recipes and health tips from yours truly. When I'm in a crunch and need some dairy-free inspiration, I turn to the toolkit and my problem is solved!

One of my favorite tricks to making a healthy, dairy-free, Skinnytaste approved dessert is to use cauliflower in place of thick creams and added starches. I know what you're thinking, 'cauliflower in dessert?' YES! If you flavor it just right; with things like vanilla extract, lemon or orange zest, chocolate or citrus juice, you do not taste the cauliflower one little bit. All you have is smooth, creamy, sweet goodness. Skeptical? I have just the recipe that will prove that dairy-free doesn't mean that you have to be gnawing on cardboard, or giving up your favorite low-fat treats. This pudding is impressively low in fat, rich in flavor, highly creamy, and under 130 calories per serving. Crazy, right? Let's get right down to business!  

Dairy-free Lemon Pudding (103)

Leanne Vogel is a holistic nutritionist and the girl behind the healthy living blog, Healthful Pursuit. Whether you're sensitive to dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, grains, or sugar, or are just interested in eating healthy, Leanne's fun and simple healthy recipes; of which she has more than 550 on her blog, are a great resource for everyone.

Dairy-free Lemon Pudding
www.skinnytaste.com
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 2/3 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 127.5 • Fat: 2 g • Protein: 4 g • Carb: 25 g • Fiber: 5 g • Sugar: 13.5 g
Sodium: 142 mg


 Ingredients:
  • 3 cups (350 grams) of roughly chopped cauliflower
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • zest from 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

Dairy-free-Lemon-Pudding2-main

Add cauliflower, almond milk, sugar, extract and zest to a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, uncovered. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes, until cauliflower is very soft. Remove from heat.

Add in lemon juice and pour into the bowl of your food processor or blender. Blend on high for 1 minute, or until very smooth. Pour into a clean bowl and allow to cool at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight, for at least 18 hours. Refrigeration helps the bold lemon flavor subside and really transforms this pudding. Do not skip this step!

Substitution notes:
  • Feel free to use any type of non-dairy milk you have on hand. I like using unsweetened almond milk for my dessert recipes because it's naturally sweeter (and lower in fat and carbs) than other non-dairy milks.
  • Any type of sugar would work here. White, brown, coconut sugar...

Author bio: Leanne Vogel is a holistic nutritionist on a pursuit of self-discovery through allergen-free recipes, travel, yoga and inward reflection. During her trip to India last year, Leanne was inspired to cut the extra baggage out of her life, embrace her true self and begin to live authentically. After returning home, she quit her highly successful corporate job and moved across the country, all in pursuit of the life she'd always dreamed of. You can find Leanne living out her healthy journey as she documents her latest kitchen adventures on her blog, www.healthfulpursuit.com. Connect with Leanne Facebook: healthfulpursuit Twitter:@be_healthful
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68 comments:

  1. Wow... this definitely an interesting one! I can't wait to try it!

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    1. Really interesting, right? I would have never thought that cauliflower would go well in pudding but it totally works!

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  2. sounds interesting! Definitely trying out this week.

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  3. Has anyone made this with sucralose (Splenda), stevia or other sugar substitute?

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    1. Hey! I'm sure you could use Splenda or stevia. I've been told that stevia works well but haven't tried it myself. I hope that helps!

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    2. I am using coconut sugar which is natural sugar and you can purchase at Costco at a great price

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  4. HMMM I am not sure about califlower in dessert but it really does look good! Might have to try this one someday :) Kelly @ HappyWifey.net

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    1. I know, it's pretty crazy... but I wouldn't have shared this recipe unless I was totally blown away by it and this recipe rocked my socks clear off!

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  5. looks good but don't think I would try it . cauliflower has a strong taste and texture which I could not get my self past. But I do love all of your other recipes.

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    1. Hey Tracy - adding the huge dose of lemon kills the cauliflower taste and blending it makes it smooth and creamy, just like pudding. I'm not a fan of plain cauliflower and I couldn't taste it one bit! But totally understand you not wanting to try it. Definitely a preference thing :)

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  6. Will try. I love lemon anything

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  7. Can Stevia be used in place if sugar to reduce calories and especially sugar content?

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    1. Gina has a great article on sweetners
      http://www.skinny-bits.com/2012/07/skinny-on-sweeteners.html

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  8. I wonder if this is sturdy enough to use in a pie?

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    1. Hmm... that's a great idea. I bet if you used a bit of eggs it would work! Or, add some thickener like corn or tapioca starch!

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  9. I know this defeats the point of making the dessert non-dairy, but for those of use who can use dairy.... can we use skim milk?

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    1. Oh I'm sure you could! Almond milk and regular milk are pretty interchangeable.

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  12. Just a thought, omit the sugar & vanilla & you've got a nice sauce to eat with grilled fish......

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    1. Oh totally! I like your style, Lila!

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    2. yeah, could you make this a sort of hollandaise sauce taste? only much lighter.

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  13. My nieces are allergic to milk and soy so we are always looking for things they can eat-because if something doesn't have milk it almost always has soy. I will be trying this out for sure.

    Kari

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    1. That's great Kari! I'm glad that you think they'll benefit from the guide :)

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  14. This loooks and probably tastes great.
    http://mamasaidbecool.blogspot.com/

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  15. Ok does this REALLY not taste like cauliflower at all?

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    1. It really, really doesn't taste like cauliflower at all. I went around the neighborhood and asked all the neighbors to test it. NO ONE guessed cauliflower... no one! They thought it was just milk! mwahaha!

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    2. SO EXCITED to try this! I love love lemon! I am out of cauliflower but I am definitely picking some up tomorrow!

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  16. I like the idea of the nice sauce to eat with grilled fish.

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  17. Amazing! I am dairy free due to an allergy and I am extremely excited about this recipe and the link to Leanne's blog, I hadn't found hers yet! Thanks so much!

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    1. Happy to hear that you're going to come visit me over on the blog! Hope you're having a great evening!

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  18. I like the sauce idea as well...but I think I would omit almond milk and use a broth instead :)

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    1. Made the dessert version tonight...so far looks good...can't wait to try tomorrow :)

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    2. I can't wait to hear how you like it!

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  19. i just made this!! it is yummy even without cooling. i did add a bit of lime juice too and used liquid stevia and 1-2 tsp of maple syrup for the sweetener! my blender could not blend it well enough, so i put it in the food processor for a loooong time (over 10 minutes!) its still a little gritty for a "pudding", but the texture is nice and creamy so I don'y mind! thanks for this recipe!! very cool idea.

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    1. Hey Sarah - I'm so happy that you like the result. As for the smoothness... if you try it again, try cooking it a bit longer. I used a vitamix so it got the mix really smooth. But if you don't have one, cooking it longer will make it easier for your blender or food processor to process.

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  20. This looks crazy enough that I HAVE to try it. (No offense intended). Already sent it to my best friend to see if she'll try it with me!

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    1. None taken! I'm known for mad, crazy ideas to get around my allergies. If you give it a shot, I'd love to hear how you both like it!

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  21. I just made this using skim milk and liquid sweetener. It turned out okay, but it's a little gritty and sickly tasting. I'm hoping it takes on a better flavour once chilled over night. I'd be interested in trying this again using other flavours (mmmm chocolate), but I don't think I'd make this particular combination again. Fingers crossed this little dessert changes my mind tomorrow! ;)

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    1. Hey! Having it sit overnight allows the lemon flavor to calm down and removes all cauliflower flavor. I'm confident that you'll enjoy it tomorrow :) As for the smoothness, if you do try it again, you could try cooking the mix longer so that your blender or food processor can blend it easier. I used a vitamix to blend it so it completely pulverized the mix. I hope that helps!

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  22. Oh the pudding possibilities... you've inspired me with this post! Can't wait to try it and to continue to experiment with other flavors. Thanks!

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    1. I know, right? There are SO many things that you could do with this! So happy that you liked my recipe, Cindy :)

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  23. Oh my gosh! I need to try this, like ASAP. Looks so yum :)

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  24. I want to make this secretly while my fiance is away so I can maybe get him eating cauliflower without him even knowing!!

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    1. Haha that's what I did! It will work fabulously :)

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  25. Hmmm, interesting! I am quite intrigued by this recipe! I have cauliflower, that I have to use. Maybe I should give it a shot?

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  26. I was so excited about this recipe I made this last night. I cooked the cauliflower at least 5 minutes longer than suggested. I used my Ninja blender, which is not a vitamix, but is pretty powerful. It came out with a gritty texture that I could not smooth out, but I decided it would probably be better left overnight. I checked on it this morning and it isn't looking good. The texture is gritty and it does not appear to have thickened at all. The pudding smells slightly of cauliflower and is not sweet enough (and I don't require things to be that sweet). I do confess, I put a little extra lemon juice, so that may be the problem. Even if the flavor was great I don't think I could get over the non-pudding texture though. Probably going to throw it out unless it has somehow improved by this evening.

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    1. I'm sorry that it didn't work for you, Kristin. That's so strange. Did you chop the cauliflower up like in my picture? It shouldn't be gritty, but I'm beginning to think the vitamix is king in this situation! I'd love to know how it goes this evening.

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  27. I made this last night as well, also in a ninja and I could smell the cauliflower too! Hoping that by this evening it has morphed into something amazing! I might run it through the food processor when I get home if I find it hasnt set too well.

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    1. It definitely needs the chill time to do it's magic. Mine set perfectly well. I'm excited to see what you think!

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    2. It wasnt for us! ;( We covered the bowl with plastic wrap, maybe it trapped gasses or something? We coudl smell cauliflower right away and it was apparent in the flavour. Thoughts?

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  28. I just made this and even before getting to room temp and refrigeration its REALLY good!!! I did use a Vitamix so the consistancy is really smooth and exactly like a pudding. I can't wait to see how it taste after letting it sit, what a GREAT idea! Thanks!!

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    1. Hey Cat! I'm so happy that you liked my recipe, woohoo! The vitamix is a marvelous machine, isn't it?

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  29. I made this yesterday and couldn't resist and didn't wait the 18 hrs of chill time. It was great. I sweetened it with raw organic honey. I don't think the consistency was exactly pudding like.That being said I would definitely make it again. I think I might try to make a chocolate pudding and maybe even a coffee flavored with instant coffee.

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    1. Coffee flavor is a fabulous idea. I like your style!

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  30. I can't wait to try this!! Thanks for the recipe!!! =)

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  31. My son hates cauliflower and avocado, but last night he ate a pizza with a crust made out of cauliflower and a 3 minute chocolate pudding made out of avocado. Enjoyed both and had no clue until I told him after the fact. It is amazing how versatile some of these veggies can be. Thanks for this, I will absolutely give it a go.

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  32. I can't wait to try this....For years I made cauli fried rice and cauli mashed potatoes. Cauliflower is amazing and I'm sure this pudding will be great!

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    1. I looooove cauliflower rice but never thought to make it into fried rice. Good thinking ;)

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  33. My husband LOVES lemon anything, and has told me time and again how much he HATES cauliflower.. I cannot wait to try this!

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  34. haha you may just be able to trick him GOOD!

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  35. Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce, Cauliflower Pudding? Count me in! My cauliflower repertoire has just expanded. I'm pretty much running to the store now and I'm hunting down some Meyer Lemons. I'm determined.

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  36. Ok I tried it and almost gagged, bf called it disgusting. Guess we arent ready for that! Back to black bean brownies and avocado pudding for me!

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  37. Ok I just made this and I used my Ninja but I used the single serving cups with the blade on the bottom. I have figured out anytime I want a SUPER smooth texture that's the only way to go. It was pretty good already! I can't wait to try it tomorrow when it's worked it's magic!

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  38. Hmm.. I made this and used my Vitamix blender to puree it. After the time in the fridge, it's just not creamy. It's very meal-y, like store-bought applesauce. I'm disappointed!

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