Light as a Cloud Velvety Chocolate Mousse

Velvety Chocolate Mousse

from Prevention’s Fit and Fast Meals in Minutes by Linda Gassenheimer (Rodale Press)

This chocolate mousse is smooth, velvety and light as a cloud. It’s made without cream or butter so the pure chocolate flavor comes through. 

The secret to this mousse is beating the egg whites until they are stiff, but not dry.  When the beater is lifted from the bowl, peaks should stand in stiff points.  When bowl is tipped, the whites do not slide.

Helpful Hints:

• Use best quality chocolate.
• The egg whites should be at room temperature.
• Decaffeinated or regular coffee can be used.
• This mousse has a deep, chocolate flavor.  For a lighter flavor, use 1 ounce of chocolate instead of 1 1/2 ounces.
• To make chocolate curls, bring chocolate to room temperature and soften slightly with a warm hand.  Scrape chocolate with potato peeler.

Countdown:

• Melt chocolate and mix with cocoa and coffee.
• Whip egg whites.
• Fold mixtures together.

Velvety Chocolate Mousse

1 1/2 ounces bitter-sweet chocolate
1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon strong black coffee (can use instant)
3 egg whites
11/2-tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon shaved chocolate curls (optional)

Microwave method:
Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. (If it is not melted, return to the microwave for 30 seconds.) Remove, stir and add the cocoa powder and coffee. 

Stovetop method:
Break chocolate into pieces and place in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water.  Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.  Add the cocoa powder and coffee.  Stir to blend. 

Beat egg whites to a medium peak (the whites will form a peak, but be very soft.)  Add the sugar and continue to beat until the whites form a stiff peak.  Take a spoonful of the whites and stir them into the chocolate mixture to lighten it.  Fold the chocolate mixture into the whites making sure all of the white is incorporated. Spoon into two dessert dishes.  To make chocolate curls, scrape the sides of room temperature chocolate with a potato peeler.  Sprinkle chocolate curls on top of the mousse and refrigerate until needed.  The mousse is best when made 1 hour ahead.  It can, also, be made in the morning for the evening.  Makes 2 servings.

Per serving: 193 calories (64 percent from fat), 13.7 g fat ( 8.1 g saturated, 4.6 g monounsaturated), 0 mg cholesterol,  8.0 g protein, 17.6 g carbohydrates, 4.2 g fiber, 10 mg sodium.
Shopping List
Grocery
1 small package bitter chocolate
1 container unsweetened cocoa powder

Staples
Eggs
Coffee
Sugar