Simply Delicious Chocolate Mousse
Simply Delicious Chocolate Mousse
Mama celebrated her birthday last week and she had a definite request for dessert: chocolate mousse, light and fluffy. I was somewhat apprehensive since I had never tried it before, but I was relieved to find that the recipe was so simple. In fact, it was so simple to make that I was sure that I must be doing something wrong! It came out quite beautifully, and was a grand finale to Mama’s birthday dinner.
This classic French recipe uses raw eggs, so be sure to buy the freshest eggs possible and keep them well chilled until use. Also keep the finished mousse chilled. You will want to throw out any extras left on the table after dinner, since they have been brought to room temperature.
6 ounces of fine quality chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons of water
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
6 large eggs, separated
Put the chocolate and water into an oven proof bowl and place in an oven warmed to a low temperature (250° F worked for me) until the chocolate is just melted. Do not let it get too hot and stir gently but as little as possible!
Remove the bowl form the oven and add the butter. Leave for one minute and then stir in the egg yolks, one at a time.
Put the egg whites into a clean bowl and, using an electric whisk or mixer, whisk until stiff (but not glossy) peaks form.
Stir about 1/4 of the fluffy egg whites into the butter and chocolate to loosen the mixture. Then, using a large metal spoon, fold in the rest of the egg whites in around three roughly further equal additions.
Carefully spoon the mousse into the individual serving dishes you want to use. Chill for at least two hours but not more than twelve.
An hour or so before dinner, I garnished the mousse with a dollop of whipped cream (I whipped 1 pint of heavy whipping cream with a palm-full of sugar) and two raspberries. Alternate or additional garnishes could include a sprig of mint leaves and shaved chocolate.
This recipe served nine generously; you could probably serve up to 10-12 people without too much of a problem.
For so little trouble and so few ingredients, this classic dessert is a real show-stopper. I would recommend it as a wonderful choice for special family meals or for dinner parties. You can make it in the morning, which frees you to give attention and energy to the main dishes. It isn’t too sweet or filling, which is especially appreciated after a large meal.
Papa informs me that a single serving of this mousse would sell for up to fifteen dollars in the finest restaurant. You can have it at home for less than a dollar per serving. Who said thriftiness is all about self-denial?
Photographs: Simple Indulgence. © Handmaidens of the Shepherd, March 2009.
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LA MATER said...
It was THE BEST birthday present!!! Hopefully, we won’t have to wait until my next birthday to enjoy some of your mousse. The rest of the dinner was fabulous too.... clam chowder, Greek salad, tilapia, broccoli, twice-baked potatoes... My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Mrs. J is right.—I am blessed to live in a house full of gourmet chefs! LOVE your cooking—LOVE YOU!
Thursday, March 5, 2009 09:14 AM
Tuesday, March 3, 2009