Cinnamon Basil Chocolate Mousse Food

CHOCOLATE AND CINNAMON MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place grated chocolate in bowl. Pour 1/3 of whipping cream in a small pan and cook on low heat almost to a boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and cinnamon and blend gently and well. Set aside.
• In an electric mixer, add the remaining whipping cream until firm consistency. Incorporate the chocolate mixture using a wooden spoon. Add cocoa blend gently and well. Refrigerate the mousse for several hours.

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.)

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a bain marie or in a double boiler at a low simmer. Stir chocolate until melted. Turn off the heat and let stand.
• Beat the cream over ice until it forms soft peaks. Set aside and hold at room temperature. With a mixer, whip egg to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and continue whipping until firm.
• Remove the chocolate from the bain marie and using a whisk, fold in the egg whites all at once. When the whites are almost completely incorporated, fold in the whipped cream. Cover the mousse and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or until set. Serve in goblets topped with more whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired.

CINNAMON BASIL CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt chocolate with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup hot water, stirring until smooth. Beat egg yolks and stir into chocolate. Remove saucepan from heat.
• Beat egg whites, gradually adding remaining 1/4 cup sugar, until peaks form. Fold egg whites into chocolate. Fold 1 1/4 cups cinnamon basil whipped cream into chocolate. Pour mixture into ramekins or glasses and chill for 3 hours. Top with remaining whipped cream and serve.