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Mousse: Chocolate Mousse w/Spice-Poached Pears

Source of Recipe

Internet


List of Ingredients

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup pear brandy
4 eggs, separated
1 cup heavy whipping cream

POACHED PEARS
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
4 pears, peeled, cored, and halved
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup whipped cream, as accompaniment




Recipe

To prepare the mousse: Place the chocolate, butter, and brandy in the top of a double boiler, and heat until the chocolate has melted about halfway. Remove from the heat and let the chocolate finish melting. Stir and let cool 5 minutes. Whisk in the egg yolks. Whip the cream to soft peaks, and gently fold it into the chocolate mixture. In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, whip the egg whites at high speed until they hold soft peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Divide the mousse among eight 8-ounce ramekins. Refrigerate.

To prepare the pears: Combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Place the pears in the poaching liquid and poach until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the pears well and slice.

To serve: Top each ramekin of mousse with one-half of a sliced pear and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar. Place the ramekins under a very hot broiler and broil until the sugar is caramelized, about 1 minute. Alternatively, use a propane torch to caramelize the sugar. Garnish with whipped cream and serve immediately.

Serves 8