Luxurious Chocolate Mousse

Inspired by the wonderful Rachel Allen, this is my version of a chocolate mousse for adults. It's all about Tennessee Honey Whiskey, a little chilli and of course, death by chocolate.

I am not a big fan of sweet things, but now and again I need something to hit the spot.  This is just one of those recipes that does it for me, with compromise of course.  I love dark chocolate with 70% cocoa and my husband loves milk chocolate.  To keep the peace, I do half and half, and it is just as great.  There is something really special about chilli and chocolate, it simply works.  Don't worry, you don't taste the chilli herein, it just enhances the chocolate flavour.  If you want more heat, add some more.

For the whiskey part, you can leave it out and substitute with vanilla extract or the juice of an orange, or use a fruit flavoured liquor.  I love the taste of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Whiskey and we often enjoy it on the rocks at the end off a great meal.  I think it is the hints of smokey honey that I really enjoy, paired with its  naturally smooth finish.

This makes 2 big champagne glasses ...


150 ml double cream
150 g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
2 tbsp Tennessee Honey Whiskey
2 eggs, separated
1 ml of chilli powder

Pour cream into a saucepan and bring to the boil.  Remove from the stove and stir in the chocolate. Add egg yolks, whiskey and chilli and give it another good stir until it is silky smooth.  In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until soft peaks form.




Add 1/3 of the egg white to the chocolate mixture and fold lightly in.  Now add all the chocolate mix to the bowl with the remaining 2/3 of the egg whites. Lightly and carefully, fold together until combined.

Add to your favourite serving bowl, mug or champagne glass and chill in the fridge for two hours to set.

~ Enjoy Michelle

Jack Daniel's, Apricot & Cinnamon Cake

There is no better smell than something being baked with cinnamon in your kitchen.  It's a warm and comforting familiarity that makes a house a real home.

This particular cake is one of our favourites, which we usually enjoy over the Festive Season as it is made with Jack Daniels' Whiskey, Cinnamon and Apricots - comfort at its best!

You don't have to use whiskey and can easily substitute it with some orange or apple juice.

Also feel free to adjust the icing consistency according to your preference.  If it is too runny for you, add more icing sugar a little at a time to get the right texture for you.

I have also used this recipe for cupcakes - same everything, just keep an eye on your cooking time.  Cut it down by more than half. Remember the golden rule ... if you can smell them, they are done!

RECIPE:
200g dried apricots, roughly chopped
225g flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
200g brown sugar
3 large eggs
100ml olive oil (make it a good one)
100ml natural yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp Jack Daniel's Whiskey

Place apricots in a bowl and cover with boiling water, allow to rest for 20 min
Heat oven to 180'C
Grease a 20cm round cake tin with a loose bottom
Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl
In a jug mix eggs, olive oil, yogurt, vanilla and whiskey
Pour wet ingredients into dry ones and mix until smooth.  Do not over mix
Drain apricots and stir into cake mix
Pour into baking tin
Bake for 50 min or until a skewer comes out clean.
Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack.

ICING:
140g cream cheese
80g butter, softened
250g icing sugar
1 tsp Jack Daniel's Whiskey

Mix all ingredients together with an electric hand whisk until smooth.
Spread generously over top of cake and sprinkle with some cinnamon.