Sophia Lorens Chocolate Orange Mousse Food

CHOCOLATE ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Combine the 2 chocolates, orange liqueur, 1/4 cup water, and the vanilla in a heat-proof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water just until the chocolate melts. Cool completely to room temperature. Whisk in the orange zest and butter until combined.
• Place the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for 4 minutes, or until very thick and pale yellow. With the mixer on low speed, add the chocolate mixture. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Place 1 cup of egg whites (save or discard the rest), the salt, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until firm but not dry. Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then fold the rest in carefully with a rubber spatula.
• Without cleaning the bowl or whisk, whip the heavy cream and the remaining tablespoon of sugar until firm. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mousse into individual dishes or an 8-cup serving bowl. Chill and decorate with whipped cream and oranges. Serve with extra whipped cream on the side.
• Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until the cream forms stiff peaks. Don't overbeat, or you'll end up with butter!

SOPHIA LOREN'S CHICKEN CACCIATORA

Steps:

• In a 10 to 12 inch saute pan with cover, heat the oil over medium high heat, and when it is hot, brown the chicken on the skin side first, then the underside. Do not crowd the pan. Brown the chicken in batches if necessary, setting aside the browned chicken on a plate until the rest is done.
• When the first few pieces of chicken are almost browned and still in the pan, add the onion red pepper, saute until tender.
• Arrange all the browned chicken in the pan, skin side up, and add the white wine. Season with salt and hot pepper flakes, then let the wine cook until it has almost entirely evaporated, just a couple of minutes. While it is reducing, turn the chicken in the liquid once or twice, but leave it skin side up at the end.
• Add the tomatoes. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and let cook at a gentle simmer, without turning, for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
• Remove the chicken to a serving platter, add the basil to the pan and increase the heat to high, letting the sauce reduce for about 2 minutes. In the end, the sauce will be creamy pink.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken or use it to dress pasta (reserving some for the chicken) and serve immediately.

DREAMY ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan set over medium heat, bring the orange juice to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the sugar, the salt and yolks until smooth. Whisking constantly, add half of the reduced orange juice to the yolk mixture to temper. When it is all incorporated, return the tempered yolk mixture to the pan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula to prevent the eggs from scrambling, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Strain the mixture into a clean bowl and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, and the zest. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 5 hours.
• Pour the heavy cream into a medium bowl, and add the vanilla and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream on medium speed just until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes, being careful avoid over-beating. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold half of the whipped cream into the chilled orange mixture. Pour that mixture into the remaining whipped cream and continue to fold until completely incorporated. Divide the mixture among six 3-ounce serving bowls or espresso cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• When ready to serve, put the gingersnaps in a resealable plastic bag and smash gently with a rolling pin. Sprinkle on top of the mousse, and serve.

SOPHIA LOREN'S CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In deep, medium-sized [cold] glass bowl, add cold heavy whipping cream. Using electric mixer, beat 'til soft peaks form. Set aside.
• In large-sized [cold] glass bowl, add milk. Combine pudding mix & cocoa powder, then add to milk. Using electric mixer, beat for amount of time stated on package directions.
• With a wide, rubber spatula, gently fold in whipped cream and liqueur to pudding mixture. Chill one hour in same glass bowl.
• For presentation, spoon mousse into decorating bag [or whatever you may use for piping] and pipe into crystal glasses/dishes for desired-sized individual servings. [Shot glasses for a small-sized treat!] Top w/shaved chocolate curls, if you wish...and/or a small sprinkling of orange zest. After preparation is complete, cover each glass/dish w/plastic wrap 'til time to serve the mousse.
• NOTES: The 5 ingredients [and amounts] listed for this were the same ones listed in Sophia's recipe. Over the years, especially when making this during warm weather, I learned that the bowls, metal beaters, whipping cream, and milk REALLY need to be cold when making the mousse. Also, we've made this w/other liqueur or extract flavorings, such as raspberry [garnishing w/a large raspberry]. The orange & raspberry flavors are our favorites! The garnishes can be whatever you like w/the flavor you make! Enjoy!

SOPHIA LOREN'S TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks and sugar in a medium-sized bowl and beat well.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.
• In a third, larger bowl, combine the egg yolk mixture with the mascarpone, then fold in the egg whites to produce a creamy mixture.
• Arrange a tight layer of ladyfingers in a 9-by-12-inch serving dish.
• Using a spoon, drizzle about half the liqueur and half the espresso over the ladyfingers.
• Cover the ladyfingers with the mascarpone mixture and the grated chocolate, and dust it with a little more than half the cocoa.
• Cover the filling with a second layer of ladyfingers and drizzle with the remaining liqueur and espresso.
• Place the dish in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours (the Tiramisu can be made 24 hours in advance).
• Top with the remaining cocoa before serving.