National Mousse Day is celebrated every November 30

I do love chocolate and I do love ice cold chocolate mousse. So In honor of National Mousse Day, I'm going to blog about mousse and pass on a mousse recipe.

Mousse is derived from the French word mousse which means "lather" or "foam". A mousse is a prepared food that incorporates air bubbles to give it a light and airy texture. It can range from light and fluffy to creamy and thick, depending on preparation techniques.

Dessert mousse

A dessert mousse is a form of dessert typically made from egg and cream (classically no cream, separated eggs, sugar, and chocolate or other flavorings), usually in combination with other flavors such as chocolate or pureed fruit. Once only a specialty of French restaurants, chocolate mousse entered into American and British home cuisine in the 1960's.

Mousse au chocolat (French for "chocolate foam") is a sweet food, normally served as dessert.

Ingredients

• 200 g (8 oz) bittersweet chocolate, chopped (see Note)
• 3 eggs (see Note)
• 250ml (1 cup) cream
• 40g sugar
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) hot water

Procedure

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
2. Separate the eggs.
3. Whisk the egg whites and cream separately until very firm. Put both in the refrigerator.
4. Combine the egg yolks and hot water in a mixing bowl (maximum tap water temperature is enough, approx. 50°-60°C or 120°-140°F). Using a mixer, beat slowly while adding the sugar, then speed up the mixer until the mixture is thick and becomes a light yellow color.
5. Stir the melted chocolate into the yolk mixture (the chocolate should have cooled enough that it does not hurt if you insert your finger). Mix immediately, otherwise this will cook the egg yolks, and you'll have chocolate scrambled eggs!
6. With the whisk (from now on do not use the mixer) add the egg whites in three parts to the chocolate mixture, followed by the whipped cream.
7. The finished mousse should be light brown and very fluffy. While it is still liquid, divide it into individual serving dishes. Allow to chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before serving. The mousse will be quite firm when ready.

Notes, tips and variations

• This recipe is not the "purest" form, which contains only bittersweet chocolate and eggs: 6 eggs for 200 g (8 oz) of chocolate; no cream, no sugar.
• It is one of the easiest recipes for untrained cooks. The only "difficult" parts are separating the eggs and folding the egg whites.
• For the more advanced cook: use a fourth yolk (and only the yolk!); it ensures that the mousse becomes firm. However, the mixture must be worked faster, beginning with the addition of the chocolate to the yolk/sugar mixture.
• Instead of the water, use an alcoholic spirit such as Cognac, Cointreau, Kahlua, Triple Sec, etc., for all or part of the 30 ml. However, the mousse is then not suitable for children or pregnant women.
• Coffee can also be satisfyingly substituted for the liquid.
• Almond powder, almond butter, or orange rind can also be used to add flavor to the mousse (one tablespoon per 6 eggs)
• There is also an Atkins-friendly recipe.

Warnings

• This mousse is best consumed within 24 hours.
• Do not keep substantially longer, even if refrigerated.

 Photo Source: imgfave.com via Alex on Pinterest / Article source: wikibooks

Outside Links:

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*See Janet's chocolate-mousse-round-up! She loves mousse! 

• See her recipes for Easy Creamy Chocolate Mousse 
• White Chocolate Mint Mousse for White Chocolate Day 
• Chocolate Tequila Mousse for National Tequila Day 
• Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse for National Irish Coffee Day 
• South Seas Chocolate Mousse 
• Avocado Chocolate Mousse 
• Double Layer Chocolate Pumpkin Mouse Pie

*Want to know more about Mousse? Months of Edible Celebrations: recipes, history and more!