Rich Chocolate Mousse With Dark Fruit Surprise Food

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.

MIRJ'S INCREDIBLY RICH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Break the chocolate up into small pieces.
• Melt them either over a double boiler or in the microwave.
• Add the eggs yolks, one at a time, and incorporate thoroughly into the chocolate.
• You have to stir fast so the chocolate doesn't cook the yolks.
• Add the brandy.
• Whip the whites until stiff.
• Slowly fold them into the chocolate mixture.
• Pour into individual dessert glasses, or into one large serving bowl.
• Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
• Note: You can also pour it into a prepared pie crust and freeze it for Mirj's Incredibly Rich Chocolate Mousse Pie.
• Note: This is a very basic recipe, which can be doubled, trebled, quadrupled, etc.
• Just remember, use 2 eggs for every 4 ounces (100 grams) of chocolate.

RICH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH DARK FRUIT SURPRISE

Steps:

• In a heavy based pan place the fruit, the water and 2 Tbsp Brandy (or juice, if you prefer).
• Heat until just under boiling, add sugar and Cornflour, stir and boil for 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat if too much liquid is evaporating.
• In 4 small Ramekin dishes, place the sponge cake and drench in brandy (Use a fresh fruit juice if you dont want to use alcohol, but use less).
• Cover with the"jam" you have just made.
• Set aside and refrigerate when cool.
• Break chocolate into a glass bowl and heat over a Bain Marie until it melts, remove from heat and place on a damp cloth so you can beat the mixture without it slipping around.
• Beat the egg yolks and add them to the chocolate, beating thoroughly until it is homogenized.
• Add kirsch, brandy or juice and beat again.
• Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
• Beat up the egg whites till the soft peak stage, then fold them into the chocolate mixture.
• Spoon the mousse over the chilled sponge and jam in the ramekins.
• Cover with foil and chill for at least 2 hours (or if your in a hurry shove'em in the freezer for 20 minutes and then put them in the fridge, not as nice but ok in an emergency).
• To serve add a dollop of whipped cream and some shaved chocolate.

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter together, stirring occasionally with a whisk. (If you don't have a double boiler, use a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl isn't touching the water.) Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg yolks and 2 tablespoons sugar at high speed, 2 minutes, until it reaches the "ribbon stage"-i.e., the batter resembles a ribbon when you lift the whisk.
• Pour warm chocolate mixture into a large mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, quickly fold the egg yolk mixture into the chocolate, stopping after the mixture is combined three-fourths of the way. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and salt at medium speed until the mixture is frothy and forms soft peaks, 1 minute. With the mixer still running, slowly add the remaining 4 tablespoons of sugar in a steady stream, then turn mixer to high and whip until medium peaks form, 1 more minute.
• Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in the remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly using the following method: Look at the mixing bowl like a clock-the top is 12 o'clock, the bottom 6 o'clock. Place the rubber spatula, point side down, into the bowl at 12 o'clock. Stir the mousse clockwise around the edge of the bowl to 9 o'clock, while turning the bowl counterclockwise. Repeat, about 6 times, until there are no more visible egg whites.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the vanilla extract and heavy cream at medium speed, 30 seconds. Then turn to high and whip until medium peaks form, 1 more minute. Fold whipped cream into mousse gently but thoroughly, using the clock method from Step 4. Makes 4 cups mousse.
• Assembly: Evenly divide mousse into 8 individual serving bowls (an ice cream scoop works well for this). Chill in the refrigerator to set, 2 hours or up to overnight. Serve with additional whipped cream dolloped on top.

RICH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Make Raspberry Coulis at least 4 hours in advance: Combine raspberries, sugar and liqueur in a bowl and place in refrigerator; stir occasionally to dissolve sugar as raspberries thaw. After serveral hours, puree the ingredients (blender or food processor) and push through a fine mesh sieve. Discard seeds and solids. Refrigerate sauce (makes about 1 1/2 cups).
• Mousse: Place Marsala and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil and reduce to a syrup (about 10 minutes of boiling). Set Marsala syrup aside to cool.
• Melt chocolate chips (this can be done in a microwave or in a double boiler).
• Assemble mousse in food processor: start by blending ricotta and vanilla until smooth. Add Marsala syrup and melted chocolate; process until smooth. Add half of Cool Whip; process. Add other half and process gently to combine.
• Place mousse in refrigerate to set for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, place a pool of raspberry coulis on a plate and top with a scoop of mousse. Garnish with a mint leaf and fresh raspberry if desired.