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Monday, June 28, 2010

Daring Bakers #1 - Chocolate Pavlovas with Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse

This is my very first Daring Baker's Challenge.  I was so excited I couldn't wait to make this.  I was wanted to join but I wanted to improve my baking and cooking skills first.  I also meant to participate in the Daring cooks but I didn't have a chance this month.  For this month, the theme was Chocolate Pavlovas with a Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse thanks to Dawn from Doable and Delicious.  I have always seen Pavlovas but I have never tried to make them before.  As for the chocolate mousse, I have always viewed mousse as an advance type of dessert to make.  I don't know why but it seemed one of those techniques I didn't think I had.  So when this challenge was stated, I was excited because it forced me to try this instead of delaying making mousse.  Here is the recipes I used.
 
(Adapted from Daring Bakers)
Ingredients
3 Large Eggs Whites
1/2 Cup + 1 Tbsp of Sugar
1/4 Cup of Confectioner's Sugar
1/3 Cup of Cocoa Powder
Cream of Tarter * I added this
 
Directions
  1. Start to whip the egg whites with a little cream of tarter.
  2. When the egg whites get to a stiff peaks, slowly add the sugar.  
  3. Once it it is fully incorporated, sift in the cocoa powder and confectionery sugar.
  4. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients until it is fully incorporated.  
  5. Fill a pastry bag and pipe out the meringue on a prepared baking sheet.  I think I made mine a little thin so I would make sure it is thicker or just one big circle.  
  6. Bake at 200F for 2-3 hours.  
  7. Let it cool.
     
For the mousse I opted with the first mousse recipe that was offered.
 
(Adapted from Daring Bakers)
Ingredients
1 1/2 Cups of Heavy Cream
Grated Zest of 1 Lemon * I didn't use this because I actually did not get one. 
9 Ounces of 72% Chocolate Chopped *I actually used semisweet since I have a large amount in my house.
1 2/3 Cups of Mascarpone Cheese
A little Nutmeg
1 Tbsp of Grand Marnier *I used orange juice
 
Directions
  1.  Pour about 1/2 cup of the cream into a sauce pan on a medium to a medium high heat.
  2. Once the cream is warmed up remove it from the heat than add the chocolate and whip until it is fully melted. 
  3. Transfer the ganache into a another bowl and let it sit until it reaches room temperature.
  4. Take the mascarpone cheese, cream, and the nutmeg and whip it at a low speed until it starts to fluff up to soft peaks. 
  5. Fold in the chocolate ganache. 
 
Assembly
  1. Take the Pavlova and top it with the chocolate mousse. 
 
I have realized that I need to work in my plating skills :D 

 



8 comments:

  1. it must be fun working on your new daring baker project! I did my sometime ago and it was truly fun! :)

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  2. Welcome and hello to the Daring Bakers' and congratulations on your 1st challenge. I hope you have a wonderful experience with us.

    Your pav looks so elegant and delicious just looking at the makes my mouth water well done on this challenge. Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.

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  3. Hi! Congratualions on your first challenge :) Ur pav looks quite yumm,,well done :))

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  4. This is your first? WOW! I'm so super impressed!!!

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  5. I think I'm going to have to start doing these Daring Bakers Challenges.. they look like lots of fun :)

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  6. Hi Joy,
    This is a great post and I hope the challenge for you goes well!

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  7. Yay! Congrats on your first DB challenge.

    I think your plating looks great.:)

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  8. Ahahahahaha...ahem...yeah...plating. I'm sure it was yummy though, right? Yep, I'm a jerk :D

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