Cardamom and Rose Chocolate Mousse
Autumn is finally here. I love this moment of the year because you see the leaves changing color and creating a beautiful gradient. It is still a bit warm for hot chocolate, but a dessert holding the warmth of the chocolate can still brings comfort.
This dessert is easy to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes. It is lightly sweet and infused with aromatic and sweet cardamoms, which hold a special place in my heart.
Surprise your family or friends with this dessert. I promise you will see big smiles on their faces.
Ingredients
100 grams of high-quality dark chocolate - minimum 70% cocoa solid
80 grams liquid heavy cream
3 large free-range eggs, separated at room temperature
2-3 cardamom pods
Generous pinch of sea salt
1 tbsp superfine sugar
1 tbsp culinary grade rose water
To assemble
1 tbsp dutch-process cocoa powder
Dried rose petals or fresh seasonal fruits
Method
Start by infusing the cream with cardamom pods. Gently crush cardamom pods to reveal seeds. In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and cardamom pods and bring them to simmer. Remove from heat and infuse for 20-30 minutes.
Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl along with a pinch of sea salt. Re-heat the infused cream until it simmers, and pour it over the chocolate. Wait five minutes and combine the cream and chocolate until it becomes glossy and smooth.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and yolks until the sugar has dissolved and the yolk mixture is silky smooth. Add the yolk mixture to the chocolate, and whisk until homogenous. Add the rose water.
In another bowl, whisk the egg whites with a generous pinch of sea salt until medium-stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg white into the chocolate mixture with a spatula in three batches without deflating it. That is what gives the chocolate mousse its unique texture.
Pour the mixture into your favorite dish or individual glasses and let it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
When ready to serve, dust the chocolate mousse with cocoa powder and dried rose petals. Alternatively, you can decorate it with your favorite seasonal fruits.
Notes
One thing that you have to consider is that this chocolate mousse is made with raw eggs. I am okay with eating raw eggs in a mousse, but it is worth considering your own convenience as well.
