Star Anise and Chocolate
>> Sunday, October 26, 2008
This month Sugar High Friday is hosted by the gorgeous Anita from Dessert First with a really interesting theme – “Time to Spice Up Your Life”. And since
The combination of star anise and chocolate sounded unusual at first. I love star anise and it is an essential ingredient in many dishes that I cooked. But for dessert, with chocolate? I actually think it would work. The sweet fragrance of start anise will blend nicely with the creaminess of chocolate mousse.
I have never been a big fan of mousse, but I gotta say this mousse is excellent. The texture is so light and delicate, and the fragrance of star anise is not overwhelming at all. I have re-worked the original recipe from Donna Hay here by using milk chocolate instead of the dark variety. I think it would blend better with the spice. Also, to lift up the flavors, I decide to dust the mouse with the mixture of pure cocoa powder and finely ground star anise. It is beautiful, and I cannot praise this mousse more! Perhaps it is something you could try for your next dinner party!
I am sending this to Anita! Make sure to check out her blog on Halloween day for the round up.
Star Anise Flavored Chocolate Mousse
Adapted from Donna Hay Magazine
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 fresh eggs, separated
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp ground star anise
100g milk chocolate, chopped
¾ cup heavy cream, chilled
To dust: 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder + 1/8 tsp ground star anise - mix
Method
Whisk egg whites until soft peak form. Add sugar + star anise. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add ¼ cup of cream + egg yolks. Whisk well to combine.
Place the remaining cream in a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Add chocolate + egg white mixture. Fold through to combine. Spoon to serving bowls and chill for 2-3 hours.
Just before serving, dust the mousse with the cocoa + star anise mixture. Serve with strawberry (or other berries).
22 comments:
As always your photos are little jewels!
unlike you - I love mousse. I love chocolate mousse and if it is spiced with a spice than it#s just the perfect deesert you can buy me with LOL! looks fab!
I think switching to milk was a good idea for this one-- it's more anise-friendly a flavor :) It looks beautiful and so elegant, and I love the fact you can make it in advance and forget it!
Beautiful.
Ah, it's breakfast, bt this is what I want!
Star anise - such a unique, irreplaceable flavour. Might even try it with dark choc...yum!
aaaaaahhh anything comes from Donna Hay will be a perfect dish!
I always love chocolate with spices - not so keen on mousse but this one looks very tempting with those flavours!
A refined dessert! Really pretty too! A wonderful mousse!
Cheers,
Rosa
Anh, to be really honest with you, I'm not a big fan of mousse either. But this one here I would love to try!
I bet this is great! I'm loving the flavor combo!
-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Gorgeous pictures! I love star anise but I have never used it in dessert.
isn't this mousse perfect for the weather here... rainy and getting cold? But only you can turn this mousse so spectacular!
Love chocolate mousse and this sounds so yummy!
No not weird at all! I've been thinking of chocolate/licorice/anise combos but never doing anything about it. Will definitely try this luscious dessert!
I adore the flavor of star anise and can only imagine how divine it must be with chocolate. This is such an elegant dessert. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting combination Anh! It looks really yummy.
This is marvelous! For a second there I thought you used green tea powder ontop of your mousse (i love green tea powder too but chocolate is so much better! ;)) I love using star anise in baking especially in cookies and biscotti. I must try your mousse recipe some day when I get time to experiment in the kitchen. :)
I love star anise but never had it on chocolate. Sounds delicious.
Your photographs are such great art.
lovely and awesome pic. I wish I could taste some:)
Yum, this looks and sounds delicious!
I love chocolate mousse and star anise is definitely a good combination with chocolate. It flavours and lends a wonderful warmth to the dessert.
This mousse sound delicious with the different addition of star anis...I'll have to try it this season, I'm such a lover of chocolate!
Ronell
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