Chocolate Mousse Tart
- 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs,* separated
- 1/4 cup superfine sugar
- 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
- Tart shell, recipe follows
- Small chocolate shavings or chocolate nibs, for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces (1 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
- 3 tablespoons ice water
- In the top of a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pot of hot water, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring.
- Remove from the heat and beat with a heavy wooden spoon until smooth.
- Return to the heat and add the yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after the addition of each.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks start to form.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the sugar and beat until stiff.
- In a third bowl, beat the cream until it becomes frothy.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the orange liqueur and continue beating until it holds soft peaks.
- Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until no white specks appear.
- Gradually fold in the whipped cream, reserving about 1/2 cup for garnish.
- Spoon the mousse into the pre-baked pie shell and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
- Refrigerate until well chilled.
- To serve, spoon the reserved whipped cream on top and garnish with chocolate shavings.
- Cut into wedges and serve.
- Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
- Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work in the butter pieces and shortening until the dough begins to come together and form small pea shapes.
- Work in the ice water with your fingers until it just comes together, being careful not to over mix.
- Form the crust into a disk shape, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling out to fit into a pie pan.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to an 11-inch circle.
- Transfer to a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and trim any excess from the edges.
- Place in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to rest.
- Cover with parchment paper and weight with pie weights.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the paper and weights and cook until just golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and cool.
- Yield: 1 (10-inch) tart shell
bittersweet, unsalted butter, eggs, sugar, cold heavy cream, orange liqueur, shell, chocolate shavings, flour, sugar, salt, cold butter, vegetable shortening, water
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chocolate-mousse-tart-recipe.html (may not work)