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.)

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.)

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO MOUSSE WITH MEZCAL WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the mousse: Gently warm the almond milk in a small saucepan. Add the chocolate and cook, stirring, until melted. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• In a blender, add the cocoa powder, agave, chile de arbol, vanilla, salt and avocados, and puree until silky smooth. With the motor on low speed, slowly add the melted chocolate mixture until fully incorporated. Pour the mixture into a large bowl or individual glasses or ramekins, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• For the whipped cream: Meanwhile, add the cream and agave to a large mixing bowl and whisk until lightly thickened and holding soft peaks. Mix in the mezcal and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Serve the mousse with dollops of the whipped cream.

ULTIMATE IRISH CREAM CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Melt the dark chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks and stir in the melted chocolate and Irish cream. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped cream.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mousse into serving glasses and garnish with remaining whipped cream and chocolate shavings before serving.

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.

CHOCOLATE COFFEE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Melt chocolate over very low heat and let cool slightly.
• Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to boil, stirring,until sugar is dissolved.
• Beat eggs on medium speed and gradually add chocolate into eggs; stir in liqueur and coffee granules.
• While beating at medium speed, slowly pour hot sugar syrup in a thin stream over egg mixture and beat until well blended.
• Fold in the whipped cream- takes some time to incorporate.
• Chill, covered, for at least two hours or overnight.
• Spoon into 4 parfait dishes.
• Add additional whipped cream (and toasted almonds if desired).