Chambord Chocolate Mousse
I love old men...they are so stinkin' cute!!
Since my teen years, whenever my sister and I have been at the mall or out and about we often point adorable old, grandpa-like men out and say things like...oooh he's so cute...or look at him! We have occasionally invited an older man eating alone to join us. Someone observing would think we were looking at a young hottie...nope...not us we were looking at the poster boy's for grandfathers lol!
Let's get one thing straight though...it is not liking as in attracted to kinda thing...it's about thinking certain old men are the epitome of what a cute and cuddly grandpa would look like.
I grew up knowing my grandmothers and great-grandmothers (both GG's each lived until a ripe old 99...you go ladies!!) But the men....they died before my time.
So yesterday as I went to get a salad for lunch (aaaah yeah, you know it - at Panera) there was this 80-ish older man with a cane a few people ahead of me in line. He let the ladies in front of me ahead of him and then he let me in front of him as well. I gave him a big smile (he was a cutie and I could tell he was a kindred spirit) and he said "I'm waitin' for my girlfriend"
I laughed...and he immediately said "I have been waitin' for her for over 60 years" with a chuckle and a sparkle in his eye. He then said..."you know what makes it work?"
I said no WHAT??
He said "Fear!!" I-cracked-up!!
I then shared with him that every time I hear about a man that did something nice for his wife/girlfriend...my husband is in TROUBLE!! And every time I hear about a man that did something not so nice to his wife/girlfriend...my husband is in TROUBLE!! He instantly "got it" and cracked up and replied THAT IS EXACTLY HOW IT WORKS!!!
This dessert is one of those special treats I make once or twice a year for my husband to make up for being a crazy girl!!! It does take some doing...but it is the real deal, as good or better than what many restaurants offer and light as air...it is so very worth it!
I have used pre-made chocolate cups and filled them with the mousse in the past and folks have devoured them....However, this year not a cup to be found!!! Nowhere! So I attempted to make some of my own by "painting inverted mini cupcake liners, the backs of mini cupcake pans and something else I can't remember at the moment - they all ended up in the trash!! I will stick to buying them...when they resurface that is! If I am serving the mousse after a special occasion dinner I serve it in a wine glass with a bit of shaved or grated chocolate on top.
This Chambord Chocolate Mousse recipe will make enough to serve 12 in a half filled good sized wine glass.
Enjoy!!
Chambord Chocolate Mousse
Adapted from The 1990 New York Times Cookbook
2 cups heavy cream
8 ounces semi-sweet morsels
6 eggs, separated
3 TBS water
¼ cup Chambord (Raspberry flavored liquor, they sell small bottles at the register that will do the trick...or get the big one and add to some homemade hot chocolate)
6 tablespoons sugar
Chocolate bar for shaving for garnish
Beat the heavy cream until stiff, add in 2 TBS of sugar at the end. Set aside.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form and in 4TBS sugar and continue to beat until stiff. Set aside.
Melt the chocolate in your microwave for about a minute (maybe less, maybe more depending on your microwave) stir until smooth.
In a saucepan over low heat, heat the water and egg yolks, whisking constantly (you don't want to end up with scrambled eggs) heat the mixture until it begins to thicken, remove from heat and pour in the Chambord. Put back on the heat and continue whisking until thick like a hollandaise sauce...it may look a bit greenish and that is ok.
Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the melted chocolate.
Scrape mixture into a very big bowl - you need room to work...fold the your whipped cream you made then fold in the egg white mixture you made. Mix it all well and immediately place mousse into your chosen glasses or if you were lucky enough to get some your chocolate cups...and if you made the cups and they look good...let me know what the heck you did...I remember know I tried making them with aluminum foil as well...yeesh!
Chill until serving time and grate some chocolate from a chocolate bar on top of you like.
Sorry about all the bowls and feeling like an octopus...but tell me...wasn't it worth it???
Lisa says
Sounds wonderful!
Rhonda says
Followed your blog from Tasty Kitchen. Some of these look really amazing and I'll have to try them soon. Where in PA do you live?
redkathy says
The mousse looks superb. Loved the story 🙂 I knew my greats too. Everyone, except my dad, is gone now though. I grew up in PA, just outside of Norristown, small world huh.
MP says
The mousse looks fabulous and I love the story!
Don't you love Philly? I went to the University of Pennsylvania and always say Philly is the best campus a student could ever have.
Monica H says
You two are too cute together and I love the story behind this recipe. Looks great too!
I've seen the chocolate cups at Target...also did you line the cups with plastic wrap before painting on the chocolate? Sometimes that helps.
Pam says
OK, this recipe is making me drool. The minute I saw the picture I became excited. Anything chocolate excites me!
I've bought the chocolate cups in the past as well and haven't seen them around here for several years.
My neighbor introduced me to Chambord a few years back. She stopped over and gave us a bottle of it for Christmas. I loved the bottle it came in immediately, and the taste sent me over the top. I have none in the house, but you just inspired me to go out and get some!
Pam
Cookin' Canuck says
I love the addition of Chambord to this. It looks as though this is a sure-fire "forgive me" recipe!
TheChocolatePriestess says
Could you use other liquor in the recipe?
Drick says
great post - folks of all ages are priceless but when you find one with that sparkle, they are a true gem ... great recipe, I can't wait to try it...
bonnie says
Looks awesome, but I think I would make this to reward myself, haha
sweetlife
Beatrice says
I love adorable old men. And chocolate pudding.
John says
First I LOVE chocolate! Second, COl forgot to mention that the picture of us is in HERSHEY!!! The land of chocolate! And third, you know you don't need to make anything for me as a "makeup" gift..although I like to let you think you should for blaming me for people's actions. The Mousse is the best! I swear she makes it hard to go out to dinner...If it wasn't for the cleaning up of all the dishes, it would be better at home.
Caveman Cooking says
I LOVE chocolate Mousse! Thanks for sharing that, SB!!
The Chef In My Head says
Great story! I found you on Food Buzz, I will be back again and again! ~LeslieMichele
Angie @ Everyday Inspirations says
Oooo this does look like a delicious recipe! I have some coffee liqueur in my fridge...I bet that would be delicious too! Thanks for sharing!
Mikelle says
This sounds yummy and my husband will be quite thankful too, he loves choc. mousse and I'm sure will enjoy the flavors of the chambord; at least i hope..since I've never used alcohol before 🙂