Fast Desserts Recipes - Chocolate and Banana Mousse

Ingredients

• 250 g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped into even-sized pieces

• 2 ripe bananas

• 2 eggs, separated

• 1 cup (250 ml) cream

• 2 tablespoons toasted flaked almonds

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Method:

1. Place four 1 cup (250 ml) ramekins in the freezer to chill until needed. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, then remove from the heat.

2. Sit the bowl over the saucepan, making sure the base of the bowl does not sit in the water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted, then remove from the saucepan and keep stirring until the chocolate has cooled slightly but not set.

3. Put the bananas in a bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher until they are smooth and lump free. Lightly beat the egg yolks, then add to the banana mixture. Stir in the melted chocolate and mix together well. Pour the cream into a bowl and beat with electric beaters or a whisk until soft peaks form, then fold into the chocolate and banana mixture.

4. Using electric beaters, whisk the egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form. Fold half the egg whites into the mousse with a metal spoon, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined.

5. Spoon the mousse into the chilled ramekins and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with almonds and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Variation: Chopped unsalted macadamia nuts could be sprinkled on instead of the almonds. Or, when you really want to make an impression, pile scorched almonds on top of the mousse before serving.