Chocolate Mousse With Chocolate Liqueur Whipped Cream Food

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Break the chocolate into small pieces directly into the bowl. Microwave it in 20-second intervals, stirring between each bout of heat, until the chocolate is about 75% melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the chocolate completely. (Alternatively, place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.) Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then whisk in the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form (the peaks should be just starting to hold, and will melt back into themselves after a second). Gradually beat in ¼ cup of the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the peaks will stand straight up when the beaters are lifted from the mixture). Using a large rubber spatula, fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture until uniform. Set aside.
• In another bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken up. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla and continue beating until the cream holds medium peaks (when you lift the beaters or whisk out of the bowl, the peaks will slightly droop down, but they won't lose their shape entirely). Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Be sure it is fully incorporated but don't mix any more than necessary. Divide the mousse between 6 individual glasses, cover, and chill until set, at least 2 hours.
• Up to a few hours before serving, whip the cream until it begins to thicken up. Add the sugar and whip to medium peaks. Dollop the whipped cream over the mousse and top with chocolate shavings.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: Mousse can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream topping and chocolate shavings up to a few hours before serving.
• Note: Chocolate mousse is made with raw eggs. If that is a concern, try to find pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs have been briefly exposed to heat to destroy any potential bacteria. Whole Foods usually carries them but call your local store to be sure before making a special trip. (Note: eating raw eggs is not advisable for pregnant women, babies, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.)

TWO INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 1/2 cup of the heavy cream for 50 seconds (depending on microwave strength).
• Add the chocolate chips to the cream and stir until the chocolate has melted. This will take 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Pour the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream into a medium bowl. Using a hand-held or stand mixer, beat until soft peaks form. (Optional: Store half the soft whipped cream into a small bowl and refrigerate it to use as a topping for the mousse.) Continue whipping the cream until stiff peaks form.
• Slowly fold in half the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture with a large spatula. Gently fold in the rest of the whipped cream.
• Divide the mixture between 4 ramekins or cocktail glasses (I used lowball glasses). Refrigerate for at least one hour, (up to overnight), before serving. Top with the reserved whip cream or cool whip and chocolate shavings.

FOAM WHIPPER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Create an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.
• Add enough water to a 10-inch straight-sided saute pan to come up the side 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Combine the chocolate, coffee, water and sugar in a medium metal bowl and set in the simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is almost completely melted and the sugar is dissolved, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set the bowl in the ice bath. Whisk until the mixture reaches 60 degrees F and is the consistency of heavy cream, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the mixture into the cream whipper. Do not fill above the maximum fill line.
• Charge the cream whipper with 1 charger. Shake vertically 16 to 20 times. Set aside for 1 minute. Invert and dispense into small bowls or martini glasses. Serve immediately.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whip 1 cup of the heavy cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl (see Cook's Note). Set aside.
• Add the egg, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla extract, salt and 1 tablespoon water to a medium heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Whisk constantly until the mixture is pale, hot to the touch and has almost doubled in volume, about 4 to 6 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, if necessary. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until cooled, about 2 minutes.
• Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and gently stir for about 3 minutes to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg mixture into the melted chocolate in 3 additions until combined. (The mixture may get very thick.) Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions until it is fully incorporated. It is important that the chocolate mixture is not warm to ensure that it combines smoothly with the whipped cream without seizing up.
• Divide the chocolate mousse among four 4-ounce ramekins and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Top each chocolate mousse with whipped cream and serve. (For a softer texture, allow the ramekins to sit at room temperature while you whip the cream.)

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH ORANGE MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the Mousse: In a small saucepan over medium heat stir together the milk with the sugar and the espresso powder until the milk is hot, but not boiling, and the sugar is dissolved. Place the chocolate chips in a blender.
• *Pour the hot milk over the chips. Run the blender on high until combined, a few seconds. Add the egg whites and run the blender on high until light, about 1 minute. Transfer the mousse to 4 small serving cups. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm, about 3 hours.
• For the Cream: In the bowl of an electric mixer, stir together the
• mascarpone cheese and the orange juice until smooth. Add the cream,
• powdered sugar, and orange zest. Whip until the cream has soft peaks, about 1 minute. Whip the cream just before serving the mousse or cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH WINE-SOAKED CHERRIES AND WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate over a double boiler. While chocolate is melting, separate the eggs. Beat the yolks, using a whisk in a medium bowl, with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the vanilla until they become light yellow and creamy.
• Temper the yolks with a few tablespoons of melted chocolate before adding the rest of the chocolate, stirring until well combined. Set aside.
• Beat the whites in a medium bowl with remaining tablespoon of sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
• In a large, cold bowl, add the cream and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold both the egg whites and cream into the chocolate-egg mixture. Spoon the mousse into individual serving bowls or 1 large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Cherries: Combine the wine, sugar and lemon zest in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add the cherries. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
• In a small bowl add the cream, sugar and vanilla. Whip until the cream forms soft peaks or to desired consistency.
• To serve, top the mousse with cherries and whipped cream.

CREAMIEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until mostly melted, then remove from heat, and stir until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to medium stiff peaks, but do not allow it to become grainy. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the sugar, and continue whipping to medium stiff peaks. Fold in egg yolks and kirshwasser.
• Fold in the melted chocolate until completely incorporated, then fold in whipped cream until evenly blended. Spoon into dessert cups, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.