Nigellas Chocolate Cherry Mousse For Two Recipes

CHOCOLATE CHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• Slice the chocolate pound cake and make jam sandwiches with the cherry jam, and layer the bottom of a large wide trifle bowl. Pour over the cherry brandy so that the cake soaks it up, and then top with the drained cherries. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to macerate while you make the custard.
• Melt the chocolate on low to medium heat in the microwave, checking after 2 minutes, though it will probably need 4 minutes. Or you can place it in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Once the chocolate is melted, ser aside while you get on with the custard.
• In a saucepan warm the milk and cream. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cocoa in a large bowl. Pour the warm milk and cream into the bowl whisking it into the yolks and sugar mixture. Stir in the melted chocolate, scraping the sides well with a rubber spatula to get all of it in, and pour the custard back into the rinsed saucepan. Cook over a medium heat until the custard thickens, stirring all the time. Make sure it doesn't boil, as it will split and curdle. Keep a sink full of cold water so that if you get scared you can plunge the bottom of the custard pan into the cold water and
• whisk like mad, which will avert possible crisis.
• The custard will get darker as it cooks and the flecks of chocolate will melt once the custard has thickened. And you do need this thick, so don't panic so much that you stop cooking while it is still runny. Admittedly, it continues to thicken as it cools and also when it's chilling in the refrigerator. Once it is ready, pour into a bowl to cool and cover the top of the custard with cling wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
• When the custard is cold, pour and spread it over the chocolate cake layer in the trifle bowl, and leave in the refrigerator to set, covered in plastic wrap overnight.
• When you are ready to decorate, softly whip the cream for the topping and spread it gently over the layer of custard. Grate the chocolate over the top.

NIGELLA'S CHOCOLATE CHERRY MOUSSE FOR TWO

Steps:

• In a heavy-based saucepan, combine chocolate, cherry brandy or kirsch, butter and corn syrup. Add 2 tablespoons sugar if using cherry brandy, 3 tablespoons sugar if using kirsch. Melt over very low heat, then scrape into a bowl and allow to cool a little.
• Separate eggs, and whisk whites until soft peaks form. Beat yolks into cooled chocolate mixture, then gently mix in a dollop of egg whites to lighten mixture. Carefully fold remaining whites into chocolate mixture, taking care to keep mousse airy.
• Spoon mousse into two wine glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours before serving. YIELD 2 servings.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a heavy-based saucepan, combine chocolate, cherry brandy or kirsch, butter and corn syrup. Add 2 tablespoons sugar if using cherry brandy, 3 tablespoons sugar if using kirsch. Melt over very low heat, then scrape into a bowl and allow to cool a little.
• Separate eggs, and whisk whites until soft peaks form. Beat yolks into cooled chocolate mixture, then gently mix in a dollop of egg whites to lighten mixture. Carefully fold remaining whites into chocolate mixture, taking care to keep mousse airy.
• Spoon mousse into two wine glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours before serving.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY MOUSSE

Steps:

• Beat chocolate pudding and milk until thick; allow to stand til almost firm.
• Stir in cherry pie filling.
• Fold in Cool Whip; refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Serve with extra Cool Whip, shaved chocolate, and maybe a cherry!