Kits Chocolate Mousse 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.)

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Beat egg yolks in small bowl with electric mixer on high speed about 3 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in sugar.
• Heat 1 cup whipping cream in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until hot. Gradually stir at least half of the hot whipping cream into egg yolk mixture; stir back into hot cream in saucepan. Cook over low heat about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens (do not boil). Stir in chocolate until melted. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, just until chilled.
• Beat 1 1/2 cups whipping cream in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Pipe or spoon mixture into serving bowls. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• For the mousse: Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Remove and allow to cool a little.
• Add the cream to a large bowl and start to whip using a hand mixer. Slowly add the sugar and continue to whip until you have stiff peaks, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Place the egg yolks in a pitcher, add the vanilla and whisk together by hand.
• Temper the egg yolks by adding a little of the melted chocolate to them and whisking together. Pour the yolks into the bowl of melted chocolate and stir in gently.
• Fold three-fourths of the whipped cream into the chocolate, reserving the rest.
• Divide between 4 serving glasses.
• Gently fold the raspberry preserves into the reserved whipped cream until you achieve a swirled appearance. Spoon some of the swirled whipped cream on top of the mousse in each glass.
• Place the glasses into the fridge and chill for 1 hour. Remove from the fridge and decorate with Marbled Chocolate Curls before serving.
• Add the semi-sweet and white chocolate to separate small microwave-safe bowls or pitchers. Add 2 teaspoons of the coconut oil to each. Pop in the microwave together for 1 minute. Stir each until smooth, microwaving for another 10 to 15 seconds, if needed, to fully melt the chocolate.
• Lay a sheet pan on the counter upside down. Start by pouring the white chocolate in a zig-zag pattern over the underside of the cookie sheet; do not get too close to the edges. Repeat with the semi-sweet chocolate, making sure to fill the holes where there is no white chocolate. Using an offset spatula or knife, spread the chocolates in a very thin layer, then stick the sheet pan in the freezer for 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key!
• After a few minutes, check the chocolate by pressing it with your finger; it should leave only the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Using a somewhat sharp-edged spatula, scrap the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. If the chocolate is the correct temperature, it should begin to curl. If the chocolate is breaking, it is too cold so let it sit for a few seconds to warm, then try again. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you will have some pretty marbled chocolate curls. Use as a garnish immediately on chilled desserts or immediately transfer to a cold plate and place back in the freezer to harden. Store in an airtight container in the freezer until you need them. The curls are perfect for topping your favorite pies, cakes or elevating a simple fruit platter.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH COCOA POWDER

Steps:

• Combine cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in a large chilled bowl. Beat with an electric mixer with chilled beaters until stiff peaks form; set aside.
• Beat whipped cream cheese in a separate bowl until soft. Add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar gradually and beat until well combined. Mix in almond extract and beat until well incorporated. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate whipped cream until both are completely blended.
• Spoon or pipe mousse into small serving dishes. Top with grated chocolate.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (FOOLPROOF VERSION!)

Steps:

• Grind chocolate chips in a food processor or blender, using short pulses.
• Add boiling water and blend to melt the chocolate.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, blending well after each one is added.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
• Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture gently.
• Pour the mousse into wine glasses or other serving glasses and top with Cool Whip and a maraschino cherry.
• Chill in refrigerator until set.

KIT'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate over hot water.
• Let it cool until only warm.
• While the chocolate cools, whip the cream until it forms medium-stiff peaks.
• Do not overbeat or the mousse will lose some of its smooth, light texture.
• Separate 4 of the eggs and set the whites aside.
• Combine yolks with the 2 remaining whole eggs in the bowl of an electric mixer.
• Beat until eggs are thick and lemon colored, around 5 minutes.
• While the yolks are beating, place the 4 egg whites in a clean copper or stainless steel bowl and whisk, preferably by hand, until the whites start to stiffen.
• Sprinkle on the confectioners' sugar and beat until you have firm peaks.
• Working quickly, add the cooled melted chocolate and a scoop of the whipped cream to the egg yolks.
• Stir until smooth, then add the remaining cream.
• When it is fully incorporated, add the liqueur and vanilla, then fold in the whites until just blended.
• This mousse can be poured into small individual serving dishes or into 1 larger dessert dish.
• Chill at least 4 hours before serving. (Chilling it overnight intensifies the flavor.) The mousse may be frozen for up to 2 weeks.
• Remove from the freezer and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• VARIATION: Make a Brownie Cookie Crust from the Brownie Cookies recipe, then fill it with the mousse.
• Chill for 4 hours, then pipe whipped cream on top.