Chocolate mousse with madeleines

This recipe from the Versailles episode of James Martin’s French Adventure is perfect for dinner parties and for enjoying with friends or family.

Ingredients

Chocolate mousse:
  • 200g dark chocolate
  • 120ml warm water
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 50g caster sugar
Madeleines:
  • 2 tablespoons runny honey
  • 225g melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 250g plain flour
  • 250g caster sugar (plus extra to coat the madeleines)

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees/gas mark 4.

Place the broken-up chocolate and warm water into a large heatproof bowl, sitting over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

Keep the heat at its lowest setting and allow the chocolate to melt slowly. When melted remove from the heat.

Place the egg yolks and sugar in another large heatproof bowl over your pan of simmering water. Whisk the eggs yolks and sugar to make a sabayon and then remove from the heat.

In a third bowl whisk your egg whites.

Add the sabayon to the melted chocolate and water mixture and stir together. Before the sabayon is fully mixed in, add the egg whites, carefully folding them in until you have your mousse.

Spoon your mousse into pots or bowls and place them into the fridge for around an hour to set.

While they are in the fridge start making your madeleines. Melt the butter in a pan over a moderate heat and add the honey. Don’t let the mixture get too hot or it will cook the flour and form a paste.

Add the flour, eggs and sugar to a bowl and pour in your butter and honey mixture. Beat for 1-2 minutes to form a light batter.

Place into a piping bag and pipe into a madeleine tray. Bake for 8 minutes until a light brown colour. Don’t let them cook for too long or they will become hard.

When the madeleines are cooked, flip them out of the tray and roll them in a tray of sugar.

Remove your mousse from the fridge after an hour, plate up with your madeleines and serve.

Ingredients

Chocolate mousse:
  • 200g dark chocolate
  • 120ml warm water
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 50g caster sugar
Madeleines:
  • 2 tablespoons runny honey
  • 225g melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 250g plain flour
  • 250g caster sugar (plus extra to coat the madeleines)

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees/gas mark 4.

Place the broken-up chocolate and warm water into a large heatproof bowl, sitting over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

Keep the heat at its lowest setting and allow the chocolate to melt slowly. When melted remove from the heat.

Place the egg yolks and sugar in another large heatproof bowl over your pan of simmering water. Whisk the eggs yolks and sugar to make a sabayon and then remove from the heat.

In a third bowl whisk your egg whites.

Add the sabayon to the melted chocolate and water mixture and stir together. Before the sabayon is fully mixed in, add the egg whites, carefully folding them in until you have your mousse.

Spoon your mousse into pots or bowls and place them into the fridge for around an hour to set.

While they are in the fridge start making your madeleines. Melt the butter in a pan over a moderate heat and add the honey. Don’t let the mixture get too hot or it will cook the flour and form a paste.

Add the flour, eggs and sugar to a bowl and pour in your butter and honey mixture. Beat for 1-2 minutes to form a light batter.

Place into a piping bag and pipe into a madeleine tray. Bake for 8 minutes until a light brown colour. Don’t let them cook for too long or they will become hard.

When the madeleines are cooked, flip them out of the tray and roll them in a tray of sugar.

Remove your mousse from the fridge after an hour, plate up with your madeleines and serve.

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James Martin’s French Adventure

“Some thirty years since Floyd on France first screened, the chance to follow in his footsteps and, to return to the places that have shaped my own life and career was too good to resist. I hope this book will give you a small taste of what I learnt and the things I discovered on my French adventure, and that you’ll enjoy the trip as much as I did!”
- James