Sweet N' Healthy: Sweet Potato-Packed Pudding

Well, instead of a sugar-free recipe, I have another "Kid-Friendly" entry for the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Blogger Contest. This recipe makes me feel a little bit like Jessica Seinfeld; being "deceptively delicious" in sneaking sweet potatoes into vanilla pudding. If you already have the pureed sweet potato on hand, this dessert can be thrown together in only 5 minutes! If not, then simply peel a sweet potato, cut it into cubes, place on a prepared baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Next, blend in a food processor or with an electric mixer and "poof"...you have a sweet potato puree! With 5 ingredients, you can make a low-fat, nutritious dessert for your kids...all without having to add any additional sugar. How sweet is that?!?! Out of the three recipes I experimented with yesterday, this is my hubby's favorite. Try it out and you'll see why.


SWEET POTATO-PACKED PUDDING
Makes 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (1 ounce) package of Vanilla Jell-O Instant Pudding mix (suggested: fat free/sugar free)
• 1 medium sweet potato; cooked and pureed
• 2 cups 1% milk
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Sugar Free Cool Whip (optional)
• 1 molasses cookie; cut into quarters (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Empty Jell-O Pudding dry mix into a large bowl. Add 2 cups of cold 1% milk and whisk for about 2 minutes. Add pureed sweet potato and whisk until well-blended. Pour mixture into 4 small ramekins or bowls, dividing evenly. Top with grated nutmeg and cinnamon. If desired, add a drop of whipped topping and garnish with a piece of molasses cookie. That part is optional, but I really think you should go for it. The whip and cookie just top this pudding off perfectly! Enjoy!

RESULTS

Sometimes finding a new use for an old ingredient is just as easy as this. Instead of thinking of entirely new dishes, you can always think about something you already make and jazz it up by sneaking in the "secret ingredient". That's exactly what I did here and it worked really well. How many desserts can you actually call healthy AND nutritious? Not many. So here is one to add to the list! Just think about it...veggies for dessert! Now there's something you might have thought the kids would never go for, until now.

There is still time to enter your recipe. Entries are accepted until 11:59PM ET tonight! Click HERE for details.

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving without cookie & whip): 104.25 calories;  1.2g fat;  18.63g carbohydrate;  4.72g protein;  1g fiber