Sophia Lorens Chocolate Orange Mousse Recipes

CHOCOLATE ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Combine the 2 chocolates, orange liqueur, 1/4 cup water, and the vanilla in a heat-proof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water just until the chocolate melts. Cool completely to room temperature. Whisk in the orange zest and butter until combined.
• Place the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for 4 minutes, or until very thick and pale yellow. With the mixer on low speed, add the chocolate mixture. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Place 1 cup of egg whites (save or discard the rest), the salt, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until firm but not dry. Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then fold the rest in carefully with a rubber spatula.
• Without cleaning the bowl or whisk, whip the heavy cream and the remaining tablespoon of sugar until firm. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mousse into individual dishes or an 8-cup serving bowl. Chill and decorate with whipped cream and oranges. Serve with extra whipped cream on the side.
• Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until the cream forms stiff peaks. Don't overbeat, or you'll end up with butter!

ORANGE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the first six ingredients until blended. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until the mixture is thickened and reaches at least 160°. Remove from the heat; stir in melted chocolate until smooth., Pour into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until serving. Garnish with whipped cream and orange peel if desired.

ORANGE MOUSSE RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut oranges horizontally in half. Run spoon around inside of each orange half, leaving fruit intact. Carefully remove fruit. Set orange shells aside. Cut white pith away from fruit, using downward cutting motion following shape of fruit. Place peeled fruit piece on its side, then cut down along membrane on both sides of each section to remove fruit. Reserve 1/2 cup of the orange sections for garnish. Fill orange shells evenly with remaining orange sections; set aside.
• Stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in medium bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add ice cubes; stir until completely melted. Gently stir in whipped topping until well blended.
• Spoon gelatin mixture evenly into orange shells, using about 1/2 cup of the gelatin mixture for each shell. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Top evenly with reserved orange sections and drizzle with chocolate just before serving. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

SOPHIA LOREN'S CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In deep, medium-sized [cold] glass bowl, add cold heavy whipping cream. Using electric mixer, beat 'til soft peaks form. Set aside.
• In large-sized [cold] glass bowl, add milk. Combine pudding mix & cocoa powder, then add to milk. Using electric mixer, beat for amount of time stated on package directions.
• With a wide, rubber spatula, gently fold in whipped cream and liqueur to pudding mixture. Chill one hour in same glass bowl.
• For presentation, spoon mousse into decorating bag [or whatever you may use for piping] and pipe into crystal glasses/dishes for desired-sized individual servings. [Shot glasses for a small-sized treat!] Top w/shaved chocolate curls, if you wish...and/or a small sprinkling of orange zest. After preparation is complete, cover each glass/dish w/plastic wrap 'til time to serve the mousse.
• NOTES: The 5 ingredients [and amounts] listed for this were the same ones listed in Sophia's recipe. Over the years, especially when making this during warm weather, I learned that the bowls, metal beaters, whipping cream, and milk REALLY need to be cold when making the mousse. Also, we've made this w/other liqueur or extract flavorings, such as raspberry [garnishing w/a large raspberry]. The orange & raspberry flavors are our favorites! The garnishes can be whatever you like w/the flavor you make! Enjoy!