Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: A Healthy Twist on a Southern Favourite
I don't know about you but, when the weather changes, so do my taste buds. Thanks to the recent hot, humid weather, I have been all about the fresh, zesty flavour of lime.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy this often overlooked citrus fruit is in the form of a deconstructed key lime pie. It's super simple. Blend a few ingredients et voila! A healthy, craving-quenching key lime pie substitute that is actually good for you!
Ingredients
2 medium avocados, peeled and pitted
2 medium limes, juiced
3 Tbsp of pure maple syrup or light-tasting honey, such as clover or wildflower
Unsweetened organic coconut shreds (optional)
Lime zest, organic (optional)
Directions
Place the peeled and pitted avocados, lime juice, and sweetener of choice in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Garnish with unsweetened coconut shreds and/or lime zest and serve.
This recipe yields a velvety, pudding-like texture. If you prefer a denser, more pie-like texture, add a couple tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil to the mix before blending. Dust a pie plate with unsweetened coconut shreds, pour mixture over top, refrigerate, and allow to set for at least 4 hours.
Health Benefits
Avocados--Avocados contain generous quantities of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as over 20 known nutrients.
Limes--Lime peel and lime juice appear to contain antioxidants that slow down the process of atherogenesis, the buildup of plaque on artery walls.
Maple Syrup--This natural sweetener features over 63 antioxidants that can help delay or prevent diseases caused by free radicals, such as cancer or diabetes.
Coconut--A significant quantity of the fat in coconut oil comes in the form of lauric acid. When coconut oil is enzymatically digested, it also forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can help kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is why coconut oil is reputed to help support the immune system and reduce the incidence of cold and flu.
