|Dark Chocolate and Almond Mousse|

Its the start of a new year. Clean slate. New start. Drop last years baggage and start afresh right?

People around me seem to be dropping out of relationships like flies, taking to heart the idea of 'dropping last years baggage'. That, or the idea of the looming valentines day not spent alone - like every other year - scares the shit out of them. Although I'm leaning more to the former as an explanation for the multitude of break ups happening around me recently. According to research there is a biannual purging of relationships. One is dubbed the "Spring Clean" and happens around April. The other is at the start of Christmas holidays. While we are not technically in 'break-up season', prep for the 'spring clean' is apparently underway.
Can't argue with the stats. 

If you're one of those people who has recently lost someone special, don't despair. I know its valentines day around the corner, but you can spend it with the rest of us single girls. Wine and slumber party at mine? We can watch soppy chick-flicks and gorge our faces on this chocolate mousse. Super silky, almost fudge-like in consistency this chocolate mousse is to DIE for... or to break up for? And if you're one of those unfortunate people who have to spend V-day at your significant others place, a home cooked dinner in front of you (secretly jealous, can you tell?), this would definitely make a brilliant dessert to end off a meal. It'll leave you with an appealing chocolate lining around your mouth. yum. 

dark chocolate and almond mousse
makes enough for 6-8 people

mousse:

• 200g 70% dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
• 170g unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
• 1/4 cup hot water* 
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 170g granulated sugar + 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

*you can replace the hot water with a 1/4 cup of freshly brewed coffee, but then I would recommend using vanilla extract instead of the almond extract. I wasn't a huge fan of the coffee-almond flavour when I did it, but you do you boo. 

process:

Get a pot of water simmering on the stove. In a bowl put the chopped chocolate, butter and hot water (or coffee) and set of the simmering water. Stir until melted then remove from the heat and set aside. 

In a second bowl, combine the egg yolks, sugar and water. Set it over the simmering water and whisk until it reaches a consistency similar to that of a runny custard. It should be a pale yellow when you're done whisking. Once its thickened take it off the pot of simmering water and put the bowl onto an ice-bath. (just stick some water and ice in a bowl and put the other bowl in that bowl, see?;) ) While its in the ice bath, keep beating it until it is cool and has thickened up some more.

Once its cool, fold in the chocolate mixture and set aside while you beat the egg whites. 

In a new bowl beat the egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Add the almond extract and sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Once done, gently fold half the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then add the rest of the egg whites and gently fold until homogenous. Be careful to not over mix it, otherwise all that beating you did will be for none. You want light, airy mousse.

Decant the mousse carefully into serving dishes, holding it close to the surface so as it not knock too much air out. Let them set in the fridge for a few hours until firm.