Nik's S'mores Protein Pudding (and Torani Sugar-Free S'mores Syrup Review!)

OBLIGATORY "FED" DISCLAIMER: Per Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, Bariatric Foodie discloses that Torani provided the reviewed product free of charge for the purposes of this review. Bariatric Foodie publishes fair, unbiased reviews. The opinions expressed in this review are those solely of Bariatric Foodie and are opinions, which have not been reviewed by the Food & Drug Administration, and do not seek to replace the advice of a nutritional or medical professional. Please seek the advice of a nutritional or medical professional for any and all concerns about food products after weight-loss surgery.

(Before I get to the business of the day, have you checked out the "Bariatric Foodie Play With MY Food " Contest yet? Seriously, it's a chance to win $50 for cooking a healthy dinner. You should do this!)

I deemed this week "Pre-Op" Love Fest on Bariatric Foodie. That's mostly been happening on Facebook and Twitter where we've had pre-op themed discussion questions. I've also started doing what I call "cook-alongs" on social media, where I post in real time what I'm cooking. In honor of my pre-ops, yesterday I did a cook-along where I demonstrated how quick and easy it is to make protein pudding!

Alongside that, late last week I received this in the mail.

I'd heard about Torani sugar-free S'mores syrup and was curious to try it. Would it really taste like S'mores? I wanted to find out! So since I didn't want to make just plain protein pudding I figured I'd make S'mores protein pudding!

Nik's S'mores Protein Pudding
(Makes about six 1/2 c. servings)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. box sugar-free chocolate instant pudding
• 2-3 scoops of your favorite chocolate protein powder (I used 3 scoops of Click because the scoops are small. if you use a protein powder with bigger scoops, use just 2)
• 2 c. milk (on Facebook we discussed whether you can really use soy, almond or coconut milk. Many Foodies reported success, but said they use slightly less than 2 cups)
• 2-3 tbsp.. your favorite kind of sugar-free syrup, (I used Torani sugar-free S'mores)

Directions:

(These directions are also summarized well in my "How to Make Protein Pudding" post.)

In a mixing or batter bowl, combine pudding mix and protein powder and whisk them together until well incorporated.

Add milk, then syrup.

Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for 2 minutes, then high for 2 minutes. 

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow it to set. It should look something like this:

So about the S'mores syrup. I like it! If you'd like to see my precise initial reaction watch this video:

I love how they managed to incorporate all three major flavors of a S'more: chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker! I marveled at how clearly you can taste and smell graham cracker.

This syrup would be a great addition to any protein treat. Try mixing it into one of my protein shake recipes using the Triple X Method. Or make protein ice cream. Or protein pudding. Or it would go great in this protein frozen pie!

The point here is that Torani hit this one out of the park. Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing so many delicious sugar-free syrups to play with!

How to Make Protein Pudding



So...while you guys are working hard on your Bariatric Foodie Pledge goals for week one, I thought I'd post this little tutorial since one of my recipes this week requires protein pudding.

Many bariatric companies sell protein pudding mixes, which always makes me shake my head. It's so easy (and way cheaper) to make it yourself!

Let's go over how you make vanilla protein pudding.

Nik's Vanilla Protein Pudding

Ingredients

• 16 oz. milk (so there's been some debate about whether you can use other milk besides cow's milk. I've always been told traditional instant pudding won't set with soy or almond milk - and the global collective brain...er...Google...seems to agree - and a Foodie below in the comments tried almond milk and it did not set. So...while you may use whatever type of milk you want, my official suggestion is cow's milk of some sort. I believe you CAN use Lactaid if you are lactose intolerant)
• 2 scoops protein powder (I used this)
• 1 box (1.5 oz) nonfat, sugar-free vanilla pudding mix

Directions:



Get out your blender (I'll wait). If you're using a big pitcher blender, pour both cups of milk and both scoops of protein into the blender and blend until smooth (About 45 seconds. Also, it may be slightly bubbly but don't worry about that). If you, like me, have a Magic Bullet blender, you have to do it one cup at a time.

Once your protein and milk are blended, transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add your pudding powder.

Using a hand mixer on low speed, mix in pudding until fully incorporated (about 90 seconds). The pudding will be mostly set when you're done. If you've mixed your milk/protein well, there should be no lumps! Refrigerate one hour before serving. (NOTE: My wonderful Foodie Friend, Taz, says she simply adds the pudding powder to her blender. Whichever way works, go for it! From my perspective what works about this process is mixing the lumps out of the protein with the milk BEFORE adding the pudding powder.)

This makes about 6 - 8 servings of pudding, depending on how much you can eat. If you have more than you think you can eat right away, no worries! Break out the old popsicle molds and make protein pudding pops! They keep in the freezer for a few weeks and make a nice "faux-naughty" treat.

If you're adventurous, you can add different things to flavor this up. In the past I've added a splash of Davinci sugar-free Butter Rum syrup for a faux-boozy pudding. I've done Davinci Chai Tea Concentrate for an exotic chai pudding. I've even added green tea powder to make green tea pudding. The possibilities are endless.

Just remember, if you're using flavor additives, add them to the protein/milk mixture in the blender BEFORE adding the pudding powder.