Dark Chocolate Mousse Recipe Giada De Laurentiis

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.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH ORANGE MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the Mousse: In a small saucepan over medium heat stir together the milk with the sugar and the espresso powder until the milk is hot, but not boiling, and the sugar is dissolved. Place the chocolate chips in a blender.
• *Pour the hot milk over the chips. Run the blender on high until combined, a few seconds. Add the egg whites and run the blender on high until light, about 1 minute. Transfer the mousse to 4 small serving cups. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm, about 3 hours.
• For the Cream: In the bowl of an electric mixer, stir together the
• mascarpone cheese and the orange juice until smooth. Add the cream,
• powdered sugar, and orange zest. Whip until the cream has soft peaks, about 1 minute. Whip the cream just before serving the mousse or cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

MASCARPONE AND DARK CHOCOLATE CREAM IN WHITE CHOCOLATE CUPS

Steps:

• Line 8 muffin cups with paper liners. Melt the white chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Spoon 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into each paper liner. Using a pastry brush, coat the chocolate evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the liners. Freeze until the chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes. Remelt the white chocolate in the bowl. Spoon 1 tablespoon into each cup and brush over the bottom and up the sides, forming a second coat. Freeze until completely set, about 1 hour.
• Melt the bittersweet chocolate in top of a clean double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. At this point, set aside to cool completely.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream and sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Set the whipped cream aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the mascarpone cheese, melted bittersweet chocolate, orange peel, and vanilla in a large bowl just until smooth and glossy, about 30 seconds (do not overmix). Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 2 batches. Transfer the mousse to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the mousse into the white chocolate cups. Sprinkle the white chocolate curls over the mousse and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate overnight, and then let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

GIADA MOROCCAN CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Stir together the heavy cream, agave, cinnamon, cumin and salt in a large bowl. Place the chopped chocolate in the bowl of a double boiler. Set the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water and stir until the chocolate is fully melted, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and set on a dish towel to dry the bottom of the bowl. Using a hand-held mixer, whip the spiced cream just until it forms soft peaks, 2 to 3 minutes; be careful not to over-whip. Now, using a rubber spatula, quickly and gently fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream. Serve immediately, or divide the mousse among serving bowls and refrigerate until ready to serve. Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

CHOCOLATE ALMOND MOUSSE CANNOLI

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 1 minute before stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth and combined. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add the powdered sugar and whip to soft peaks with a hand mixer.
• In a second medium bowl, whisk the ricotta and amaretto until smooth and combined. Gently fold in half of the chocolate whipped cream to incorporate. When just a few streaks remain, add the remaining chocolate cream. Continue to fold until completely combined.
• Spoon the mousse into a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag and massage it toward one corner. Snip off the corner. Insert the snipped tip of the bag into the middle of a cannoli shell and gently squeeze to fill the shell, pulling out as you go. Repeat on the opposite end of the shell. Dip each end in the chopped almonds, then press a cherry into both ends. Repeat with the remaining shells.
• Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for up to an hour. Sift some powdered sugar over the top before serving.

DREAMY ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• As seen on: Giada's Holiday Handbook, Episode 5. Holiday Desserts.
• 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.

CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Place over a small saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Place the melted chocolate, avocados, agave, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon into glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (can be prepared 1 day in advance). Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.