This heritage recipe was served at Caffe Villa Verde at the Disneyland Hotel. It is a true mousse (none of that Cool Whip mixed with chocolate pudding business), so takes a bit of time.
1 1/2 ounces almond paste (I used 2 since I really like almond flavor)
1/4 cup almond based liqueur
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup half-and-half
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup cream cheese softened
2 cups heavy cream, whipped
Fresh mint leaves
Chocolate, shaved
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine almond paste, almond liqueur, egg yolks, and sugar. Mix by hand with the back of a spoon until well blended. Set aside.
In a double boiler over medium heat, combine half-and-half and chopped chocolate. Heat only long enough to melt chocolate.
When chocolate is melted, sift in cocoa powder and add cream cheese. Increase heat and bring to simmer.
Add a few tablespoons of chocolate mixture to egg mixture until both mixtures are combined. Return combined sauce to double boiler and cook for 3-5 minutes. Do not boil. Sauce will be creamy. Remove from heat and place top of double boiler in an ice bath and stir sauce until cool.
Whip heavy cream and fold into cooled chocolate mixture.
Fill individual glasses with mousse and refrigerate until firm.
Serve with additional Whipped cream and garnish with fresh mint leaves and shaved chocolate. Serves 4.
1 1/2 ounces almond paste (I used 2 since I really like almond flavor)
1/4 cup almond based liqueur
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup half-and-half
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup cream cheese softened
2 cups heavy cream, whipped
Fresh mint leaves
Chocolate, shaved
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine almond paste, almond liqueur, egg yolks, and sugar. Mix by hand with the back of a spoon until well blended. Set aside.
In a double boiler over medium heat, combine half-and-half and chopped chocolate. Heat only long enough to melt chocolate.
Whip heavy cream and fold into cooled chocolate mixture.
Serve with additional Whipped cream and garnish with fresh mint leaves and shaved chocolate. Serves 4.
Taste test: Delicious!