Chocolate Mousse

Image courtesy of the bbc food website :)

For all chocolate lovers out there, here is one of my favourite chocolate mousse recipes that for me has stood the test of time. It includes a nutty element such as hazelnut and amaretto to further enhance the sweetness of the chocolate. It also makes it infinitely more luxurious.

Posted here at the request of Sam Fisher (hugs) for a hassle free chocolate mousse recipe.

In my humble opinion chocolate mousses is usually a hassle free dessert anyway, however there are a few things to bear in mind - the most important of which being that you must wait until the chocolate is cool before you add it to the mix, otherwise any work you have done to fluff up eggs and cream will be rendered useless.

Ingredients


125g of Dark chocolate
20g of hazelnut paste or nutella
25ml amarretto
2 eggs
40g of caster sugar
250ml double cream

Method:

Melt the chocolate with half the cream and the hazelnut paste

Once melted add the amaretto, allow to cool

Whisk the sugar and eggs till they are pale and have doubled in volume

Whisk cream till it forms a soft peak

Once chocolate mix is cool pour into the egg mix and fold

Fold in the cream

Pour into mould allow to set in a fridge for at least three hours before service.

Enjoy.

Mulled Pear Frangipan

This adaptation of traditional frangipan incorporates the comforting flavours, and spices of late winter with mulled pears. This recipe is posted at the request of Tyler Sharp, and his love of frangipan. Service reccomendations include cinnamon & cognac creme anglaise, a light but very luxurious form of the traditional custard. From beginning to end, from preparation to finish this recipe is a fun, and incredibly sensory experience - nothing can warm the heart and appetite greater than the smell of frangipan - savour every moment, and mouthful :).

Mulled Pear Ingredients:

2 Conference pears

1 Vanilla Pod

1 tsp mixed spice

50ml brandy

50ml amaretto

150ml port

150ml good red table wine (pinot reccomended).

Frangipan Ingredients:

1 deep pre cooked flan case
300g of Butter
300g of Caster sugar
6 Eggs
60g of Self rasing flour
360g of Ground Almonds

(The day before)

Core the pears and cut into halves. Fan pear halves if necessary, and put into a bowl. Add liqours & spices. Open the vanilla pod using a sharp knife and scrape out the seeds into the bowl with the rest of the mix. Leave to soak for 24 hours.

Once soaked, place fanned pears into the pastry case at quarter points. Reduce liqours to an essence (approximately 4 tbsp), and allow to cool.

For the frangipane mix:
Cream the butter and sugar, and add eggs one by one whilst beating slowly. Fold the almonds and the flour into this mix. Add the reduced liqour from the pears, and fold in until uniform. Add the mix to the flan case (the pears should just peek out of the frangipane mix), & bake at 180 degrees centigrade until golden brown. To test if done, insert a sharp knife into the centre of the flan. If the knife comes out clean, you're done. Allow to cool somewhat, and serve warm to a very grateful recipient. :)