Chocolate Mousse

Instructions

In a heavy saucepan over a low flame, warm the chocolate and water or coffee until the chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Remove from the heat and cool slightly, perhaps 5 minutes or so. TESTER TIP: If you want to make things easier, heat the water in the microwave or use freshly brewed hot coffee and simply stir the chocolate into the liquid. It'll quickly melt without you needing to wash a pan.

Separate the egg(s). In a bowl, beat the egg yolk(s) to combine. Very slowly stir the melted chocolate into the yolk(s).

In a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer on high speed, beat the egg white(s) until very stiff. Using a spatula, gently fold the white(s) over and over into the chocolate until things are perfectly blended and no streaks remain.

Place the mousse in ramekins or lovely glasses if making it for one or two or a soufflé dish if serving several guests. TESTER TIP: When selecting glasses or a dish, keep in mind that's nothing's sadder than a small amount of mousse hiding at the bottom of a huge glass or bowl.

Refrigerate for 10 minutes if your craving is intense, 30 minutes if you have a little patience, or 3 hours or so if you're serving at a dinner party. Don't refrigerate it any longer than that, as this tends to make the texture too hard.

Dessert