Saturday, February 17, 2007

Chocolate mousse and Valentine's Day




The past February the 14th was our first Valentine's day. My husband is not romantic and meself is jaded into a cynic. Nonetheless, our being hitched for life warranted a semi-brokeworthy splurge into this oh so commercialized celebration. Hubby got me a basket full of flowers, chocolate and a diamond studded ring, all handed over at my work parking lot in the romantic confines of his car (swooooooon!). Later, he fixed us a fancy dinner- Greek Flank Steak, chicken kebabs, baked potatoes and olive bread and we spent the rest of the evening sprawled on the couch eating dessert and watching back to back episodes of Law and Order SVU. Just my idea of perfect! Dessert was this liquor-infused, classic Valentine - Chocolate mousse layered with coffee-raspberry liquor soaked cake and strawberries. If the name isnt enough to take your breath away, just try it...




For Chocolate Mousse:

1 cup of chocolate chips (I used well chopped Ghirardelli 100% cocoa chocolate bar)
1 egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup heavy cream

For liquored cake layers
4 slices store bought butter pound cake
2 tbsps raspberry liquor
2 tbsps coffee liquor

1 cup sliced strawberries

Method

Mousse:
Place chocolate chips, egg and vanilla in blender and chop. Heat cream until hot and small bubbles appear on the side (don't boil). With blender running pour in hot cream. Blend until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Just prior to serving pour raspberry liquor over 2 slices of pound cake and coffee liquor over remaining cake slices.

Layer cake, strawberries and chilled mousse in alternating layers in tall glasses. Serve.

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