madbaker: (Bayeux cook)
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Albert's (Dairy-free) Mousse

5.25 oz 65% bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used a combination of Valhrona and Scharffen Berger)
1/4 cup water (or 1/2 cup cream)
1 1/2 Tbsp brandy or rum (I used brandy)
3 large eggses, at room temperature
3 Tbsp water
1/4 cup sugar

Place the chocolate and 1/4 cup water in a medium bowl in a wide skillet of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until the chocolate is nearly melted. Remove the bowl and stir until completely melted and smooth. Stir in booze and set aside.

In another medium bowl, whisk the eggs with 3 Tbsp water and sugar until well blended. Set in the not-simmering water and, stirring constantly to keep the eggses from scrambling, cook to 160 degrees. Remove and beat with an electric mixer at high speed for 3-4 minutes, until the eggses have a texture like softly whipped cream. Fold about 1/4 of the mixture into the chocolate. Scrape the chocolate into the remaining egg mixture and fold until evenly incorporated. Divide among four ramekins. Chill for 1 hour, until set. (Cover with plastic wrap if they will not be served within a few hours.)

What worked: Wowee, this was intensely chocolatey. Not using cream meant that the extremely high-quality chocolate flavor came through big-time. Granted, I topped the mousse with whipped cream so it wasn't really dairy-free, but what the hey. This wasn't quite mouthgasm status; if I'd had time to make cocoa nib-infused whipped cream, that might have put it over the top.

Also, this method of melting the chocolate is easier than using a double boiler. More surface area, plus it's easier to track how hot the water is getting.

What didn't: I need a better instant-read thermometer to do these sorts of dishes. The candy thermometer makes life more difficult.

Will I make it again? The wife might divorce me if I said no.

What I'm reading: Stephen Brust, Dzur

Date: 2006-08-18 06:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsgeisel.livejournal.com
Dzur is out! Aieee...

Must...get...to...bookstore...

Date: 2006-08-18 07:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] madbaker.livejournal.com
I enjoyed it, but it is a very quick read. It's a direct sequel to Issola.

Date: 2006-08-18 07:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ornerie.livejournal.com
hey. mousse bites can be painful.
or delicious.

dang.
I want mousse.

is it a fluffy mousse or a ganache mousse? I'm looking for a fluffy mousse recipe...

Date: 2006-08-18 07:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] madbaker.livejournal.com
Um, somewhere in between? Making it with water instead of cream made it less fluffy - but vastly more chocolatey. There was still fluff from the eggses, though.

Date: 2006-08-18 08:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ornerie.livejournal.com
the best mousse I've ever had was in Bruges...lovely dark chocolate flavor, and rich but not "coat your tongue". intense flavor that went away. the consinstency of custard. perfect.

am trying to recreate that...using water instead of cream might be the ticket!

sounds yummy

Date: 2006-08-19 07:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dame-cordelia.livejournal.com
Who's Albert?

Date: 2006-08-20 12:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsgeisel.livejournal.com
In fact, I just read it in the bookstore this afternoon - you're right; very fast. Not more than a couple of hours or so.

So...what's the equivilant of Valabar's around here? And how many recipes has the book inspired you to expermiment with trying?

Date: 2006-08-20 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] madbaker.livejournal.com
I assume the French Laundry, although I've never eaten there. Chez Panisse is not that over-the-top (although it was lovely). Masa's comes fairly close.

Who's Albert?

Date: 2006-08-20 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] madbaker.livejournal.com
The cookbook author's lactose-intolerant brother.

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