Passover Chocolate Mousse with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate (must be at least 70% cacao)
• 1/2 cup best quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped
• 4 eggs, separated
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar (kosher for Passover)
• 1/3 cup brewed coffee
• pinch of sea salt (optional)

In a saucepan over low heat, gently melt the chocolate and cool to room temperature. Add the olive oil and the scraped vanilla bean and set aside. Combine the yolks and confectioners’ sugar and whisk until foamy. Add to the chocolate mixture. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the whites to stiff but glossy peaks; fold the whites into the chocolate. Pour into dessert cups and chill at least 4 hours or pour into a parchment or plastic-lined mold and freeze for 4 hours. I like to garnish the mousse with a sprinkle of sea salt. The salt gives the chocolate a “sparkly” flavor.

Tips

Purchase the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find. For this recipe, I use an oil from France that is buttery, fruity, and rich with no harsh taste of bitterness. It is expensive—but since the olive oil is my fat of choice for all my pareve and fleishig meals during the holiday and year round, it is worth it. Because this recipe is all about chocolate, it goes without saying that the chocolate has to be great in order to make a great mousse. During Passover, I use Schmerling’s 70% Bittersweet Chocolate. When Passover is over, I use Callebaut 71% Bittersweet Chocolate. Ersatz ingredients never taste as good as the real thing. I only cook with real ingredients. Purchase the best ingredients you can and your food will always taste great.