Spicy chocolate mousse

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Spicy chocolate mousse.jpg

INGREDIENTS

Spiced Syrup

  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece cinnamon stick
  • 2 cardamom pods, crushed
  • 1 red Thai chili, seeded and chopped (scant ¼ teaspoon)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

MOUSSE

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 4 ounces (125 g) dark chocolate
  • ½ cup mascarpone

METHOD

Combine water, sugar, honey, star anise, cinnamon stick, cardamom, chili and salt in a small pot over medium heat. Bring to boil and boil for 5 minutes or until syrupy. Cool to room temperature and strain out spices.

Bring ½ cup of whipping cream to boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Stir until melted and well combined. Cool to room temperature. Put mascarpone in a mixing bowl and fold the chocolate mixture into the mascarpone. Beat remaining ½ cup of whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold cream into chocolate mascarpone mixture.

Drizzle 1 teaspoon spice syrup in the base of each of two wine glasses. Spoon half of chocolate mixture into glasses, drizzle with another 1 teaspoon spice mixture then add remaining chocolate. Finish with another drizzle of syrup. Chill before serving.

WINE PAIRINGS

Consider a floral-grapey, muscat-based dessert wine, such as muscat de Baumes-de-Venise from southern France. A cabernet franc ice wine would work well, too, adding a splash of Valentine red to your meal. - Beppi Crosariol