Milk Chocolate Mousse With Cranberry And Candied Orange Chutney Food

MILK CHOCOLATE ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In the top of a large double boiler set over barely simmering water, melt the chocolates together. Stir well and set aside to cool slightly. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the cream until stiff. Keep refrigerated.
• In a clean, dry bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and continue whipping just until stiff and glossy, about 30 seconds more. Whisking hard, incorporate 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate until well blended. Fold in the next 1/3 of the egg whites. Fold in the remaining egg whites until just barely combined (the mixture will be streaky). Add the orange zest, orange juice concentrate, and whipped cream and fold until smooth.
• Use a pastry bag fitted with a large plain or star tip to pipe the mousse into serving dishes, or simply spoon it into a large serving bowl. Cover lightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.

CRANBERRY ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Chill a decorative glass bowl or 6 stemmed glasses.
• Rinse and pick over cranberries and place in a large saucepan. Add sugar and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, until cranberries have burst and the mixture has a thick jam-like consistency. Cool.
• Stir in zest, juice and liqueur and rub through a strainer to remove skins.
• Whip cream and fold 3/4 of it into cranberry puree. Place mousse in bowl or glasses. Decorate with reserved whipped cream just before serving.

CRANBERRY AND CANDIED ORANGE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Cut orange into 1/4-inch-thick rounds; cut rounds into 1/4-inch cubes. Place in heavy medium saucepan; add 3 cups water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Drain, rinse, and drain well. Boil again with 3 cups water; rinse and drain.
• Return orange cubes to same pan. Add 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil gently until all liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes.
• Bring brown sugar, rum, vinegar, allspice, 1/4 cup water, and 1 cinnamon stick to boil in saucepan. Mix in cranberries. Cook until thick syrup forms, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Mix in orange; cook 1 minute. Transfer chutney to small bowl; cool. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.)

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH CANDIED GINGER

Steps:

• Set a medium bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. (Don't let water touch the bottom of the bowl.) Reduce heat to a simmer. Add the chocolate, butter, orange liqueur and espresso. When chocolate is completely melted, about 10 minutes, remove from heat.
• Add sugar and beat with a wire whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is slightly thickened and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool slightly, then quickly whisk in the egg yolks to incorporate.
• In a clean, dry medium bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. With a rubber spatula, stir 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Gently fold in the remaining whites to incorporate, taking care not to deflate. (It's OK if mixture looks a little streaky.)
• Pour mixture into 4-ounce ramekins or other vessels, like teacups or wine glasses. For a large version, pour into an attractive bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days in advance.
• To serve, whip the cream to soft peaks. (Add a tablespoon of sugar and a drop of vanilla extract, if you wish.) Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and some crystallized ginger.