Monday, October 6, 2008

The Fashion of Food

When was the last time you had chocolate mousse?

I haven't had it in ages. Oh, I mean, I have had the mousse-like filling in cakes and desserts but real chocolate mousse all on its own. Well it must be 10 or more years! And back in high school I decided it was in my top few desserts to order. I thought I was the height of sophistication to have this as my favorite. Maybe because I had been to Paris and tried it there. Maybe because my friend, Terri and I made it as part of a French class presentation/skit. Oh how we slaved over both the mousse and our cooking show lines in French. But we made a mean mousse and got an excellent grade.

Flash forward 20 plus some years and now cooking shows are more ubiquitous than newspapers it seems. Many would do anything to be one of the select few that gets paid to talk about their passion. Cooking and food blogs are more than plentiful. But where is the chocolate mousse? I don't see it on restaurant menus often. Of course with two little ones I am not at restaurants often either. Has it fallen out of fashion? Is it passé? I have really had a craving for it lately.

Food does have it's own trends. Things are in and out. I think mousse is one of them that just isn't that in right now. Or do you disagree? At any rate, you need fear not because there are plenty of recipes for this classic dessert all over the internet both in blogs and major sites like the Food Network and Epicurious. And many of them are very simple too. After making it the other night, I felt so satisfied with just a little bit. I say, let's bring it back in style! At least in our own kitchens.

I chose a recipe from Kim's site at Easy French Food. It was so simple and quick (except for the chill until set or overnight part)!

Mousse Au Chocolat

  • 8 ounces good quality dark cooking choclate
  • 6 eggs, at room temperature*
  • whipped cream (optional)

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Seperate the eggs into two large bowls.

Beat the egg whites until very stiff.

Stir the melted chocolate into the egg yolks, beating vigorously until the mixture is smooth.

Stir one third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and mix until thoroughly blended.

Carefully fold in the rest of the egg whites.

Spoon the mousse into individual parfait glasses, chill and serve with whipped cream and shaved chocolate if you wish.

4 to 6 servings


This version of chocolate mousse was not as fluffy or airy as I remembered it to be. It was dense and rich and I really thought it needed a bit of the whipped cream with every bite. But it was good and did not feel too heavy or as fattening as so many desserts can be. If you have the foresight to prepare dessert a day ahead of time, I say try this! It also makes entertaining easy to just have it all set and ready to serve. Just whip your cream before you serve it. Delish! Thanks Kim, for the inspiration. And my kids loved it. I felt like I gave them protein and dessert in one fell swoop!

Next time I might try Julia Child's Perfect Chocolate Mousse Recipe that I found on David Lebovitz site. It looks a bit more involved and tricky but I am up for the challenge!

Hey, how do you like my cute little glasses my parents got for me in Morocco a few years back! They are perfect for this kind of little dessert or for lemoncello!

* One more note. This chocolate mousse recipe and many others uses
raw eggs so make sure they are fresh and do not let the mousse sit out of the refrigerator for very long.

18 comments:

That Girl said...

I've only ever made pumpkin mousse before - my french "impress everyone" dessert of choice involved crepes.

Emily said...

Wow you are right. What did happen to chocolate mousse? I clearly remember eating tofu based chocolate mousse when I was a very small child. I don't think we have had it since then.

Unknown said...

That looks awfully tempting! Thanks for the recipe, will be making that this week for certain!

Darius T. Williams said...

You know - I can't remember the last time I had a really good chocolate mousse - this looks divine!

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

annechovie said...

This looks amazing - I will have to try it! Thanks so much!

Erin said...

I think we're seeing more savory mousse these days, along with foams and other fancy stuff. I don't think I'd ever say no to chocolate mousse, though, it is too tasty to pass up!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Wow. Wow. Wow.

This DOES sound tempting and not even THAT difficult (for somebody inept like me)!

Nicole said...

Kate- My BIG dessert usually is a cheesecake! I could eat it every week.

Emily- Isn't it funny how chocolate mousse fell off the map...

Orce Serrano Hams- Welcome! So glad you liked it. Let me know how it turns out for you.

Darius- Thanks! It was a long time for me too.

Anne- You should try it! It's good.

Erin- I agree with the savory mousse and foams and things. I like it all (usually) but sometimes the old standards are just so good.

Mamageek- It is so easy! I had the help of a 4 year old. Do try it. It is low carbs too so not as fattening as some desserts.

Puzzles to Print said...

Nicole - Aren't you sweet to try my recipe. The funny thing is my very good friend from Holland is the one who gave me the recipe (and always treats us to it when we eat over)and her name is Nicole!

Robin said...

Oh boy do I ever love chocolate mousse! Your recipe looks great and I haven't made mousse in ages, will have to give this a go soon.

taste memory said...

it's one of those vintage desserts like the molded stainglass looking jello desserts from days gone by. I recall choc mousse on the menu when I was growing up along with T-bone steaks and yorkshire pudding.

I love chocolate mousse.....I've made a dairy free egg free version with young coconuts + very ripe bananas that is like the real thing. thanks for posting about the fashionable mousse! who knows, 10 years from now we'll be posting about 'whatever happened to creme brulee' ;-)

Peter M said...

If you must know, I had it last year and it was mui bueno...should make it again and it's none too hard.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing this post. I love Chocolate mousse and have had it Paris many times (it's always better there for some reason)...This looks wonderful.

--Marc

Nicole said...

Kim- I was so excited to try it. And it worked out so well.

Robin Sue- I know. That is how it was with me. I love it but hadn't had it in ages!

Taste Memory- I thought about the creme brulee going out as well! Perish the though!!!! I adore creme brulee and don't have a torch.

Peter- Did you make Julia Child's recipe then? It sounds divine.

Marc- Isn't EVERYTHING always a little better in Paris???

Lori Lynn said...

Love those glasses Nicole!

I made chocolate mousse when I worked in restaurants years ago but haven't made it at home, I just might now...

Nicole said...

Lori Lynn- Oh, I am sure you would make the most awesome chocolate mousse! Aren't my glasses fun. I just love unique and ecclectic glasses and dishes.

Anonymous said...

protein and dessert all in one scoop!! i'll take it for sure! that's freakin' awesome! Greatness!

Nicole said...

Bren- Thanks! This is practically a meal in and of itself I think. Better than half the stuff kids eat for breakfast.