Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively: Tofu Chocolate Pudding (Our New Favorite After School Snack)

Thank you House Foods for sponsoring this post.

It is official: I have a Kindergartener. Essley started preschool when she was two, so school itself isn't new for us. But the whole drop her off at the bus stop and watch it drive off with her somewhere inside, then spend all day everyday at school thing feels like a whole new world. So far, Essley absolutely loves every minute of it. It's still an adjustment though, and she is definitely more tired, more hungry, and more in need of snuggle time with mama when she gets home than she ever was during preschool.

One of the things I most remember about elementary school afternoons from my own childhood was coming home and making after school snacks with my mom. There was something truly comforting about it, and I decided this was just the thing Essley and I needed to start doing after her long days at Kindergarten.

Yesterday, we decided to make a recipe we hadn't tried yet from the children's ebook The Tales of Tofu from House Foods, for Tofu Chocolate Pudding. The Tales of Tofu is an endearing story about a superfood named Tofu who learns about how he can be anything he wants to be (by easily mixing with other foods), and we love to read it together. (You can download it yourself for free right here!) The Strawberry Papaya Tofu Smoothie recipe from the book is a regular in our house, and I can already tell the Tofu Chocolate Pudding will be as well. It's easy to make, delicious to eat, and it's packed full of plant-based protein thanks to the tofu (a favorite in our family that we incorporate into many meals and snacks). Making (and eating!) it together is also a wonderful way for us to spend quality time together after school.

Tofu Chocolate Pudding

SERVES: 6 | PREP TIME: 10 min | COOK TIME: 0 min

INGREDIENTS
1 pkg. House Foods Tofu Medium Firm
1 cup chocolate chips
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
¼ cup soy milk

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave until chocolate is smooth and silky. (If using a microwave, microwave chocolate chips for approximately 15 seconds at a time, stirring frequently in between, until smooth). While chocolate melts, add the tofu, vanilla, and maple syrup to a food processor and blender, and blend until smooth. Slowly add in the chocolate and soy milk and blend until mixture is well combined and smooth. Divide among bowls or pudding jars and refrigerate for at least one to two hours before serving. Top with whip cream, chocolate shavings, or your choice of toppings.

We eat tofu several times a week in our house, in everything from tacos to stir fry to breakfast scrambles to smoothies. I've been a vegetarian since I was 15 years old, and it's always been my favorite (and the yummiest) way to get protein. It's truly one of the most versatile ingredients, and because it can so easily and quickly be prepared and incorporated into so many different recipes, it's a staple in our fridge. Tofu is also something that my kids both love to eat and to help prepare, which makes it a lifesaver during back-to-school season when things are especially hectic. We've especially been loving the recipes from The Tales of Tofu (which House Foods partnered with Melissa Rauch to create!). The book itself is so wonderful to read together, thanks to its empowering story and the fact that it so creatively shows little ones the endless way that a truly good for you food can be prepared and combined with other foods to make everything from snacks to meals. Tofu forever!

If you try this seriously scrumptious Tofu Chocolate Pudding, I'd love to hear what you think. If your little ones are in a new school year or heading back soon, it's the perfect after school snack to make together. Enjoy!