Dark chocolate mousse, cocoa nibs, passion fruit and chamomile

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This rich vegan chocolate mousse recipe is served with fragrant chamomile jelly and caramelised cocoa nibs for a stunning dinner party dessert. Fresh passion fruit adds a sweet yet tangy counterpoint to the rich flavours in the dish. This recipe is taken from Planted by Chantelle Nicholson, published by Kyle Books. Images by Nassima Rothacker.

First published in 2018
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Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Vegan chocolate mousse

  • 150g of aquafaba
  • 80g of caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
  • 150g of dark chocolate, minimum 70% cocoa solids, broken into pieces
  • 100ml of coconut cream
  • 100ml of oat cream

Chamomile jelly

  • 2 tbsp of caster sugar
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 150ml of water, warm
  • 2 tbsp of chamomile tea flowers
  • Vege-Gel, 1 sachet

Cacao nibs

  • 40g of caster sugar
  • 1/4 tsp chamomile tea flowers
  • 60g of cacao nibs, toasted

To serve

Equipment

  • Electric hand whisk

Method

1
Start by making the jelly. Put the sugar, lemon zest and juice in a saucepan with 150ml of warm water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, add the chamomile tea and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a clean pan and sprinkle the Vege-Gel on top. Leave to sit for 5 minutes then place back on the heat and bring to the boil, continuously whisking. Boil for 3 minutes, then pour through a fine sieve into a clean container. Refrigerate until set
  • 2 tbsp of caster sugar
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 150ml of water, warm
  • 2 tbsp of chamomile tea flowers
  • Vege-Gel, 1 sachet
2
For the cocoa nibs, put the sugar and chamomile into a small, heavy-based saucepan over a moderately high heat. Gently shake the pan when you see the sugar beginning to melt. Do not stir as this may cause the caramel to crystallise. As it continues to melt, keep shaking and swirling the pan until a deep caramel is formed. Add the cacao nibs and mix well. Remove from the heat and spread, as thinly as possible, on a silicone mat or a baking tray greased with a little oil. Allow to cool, then finely chop
  • 40g of caster sugar
  • 1/4 tsp chamomile tea flowers
  • 60g of cacao nibs, toasted
3
Meanwhile, whisk the aquafaba in a bowl with an electric whisk, or using a stand mixer, until stiff. Gradually add the sugar, then continue whisking for up to 10 minutes until glossy and thick. Add the xanthan gum and whisk for a further 3 minutes on a high speed
  • 150g of aquafaba
  • 80g of caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
4
While the meringue is whisking, put the chocolate in a medium bowl over a small saucepan half-filled with water. Set the pan over a moderately high heat until the water is gently simmering. Stir the chocolate until it has completely melted and no lumps remain. Put the creams in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Transfer the bowl of chocolate to the worktop and pour in the hot cream. Whisk well, then gently fold the meringue into the chocolate and spoon into a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes
5
To serve, roughly chop the caramelised cocoa nibs. Scatter on 8 plates, then divide the passion fruit pulp and jelly between the plates. Finish with a large scoop of the chocolate mousse.
First published in 2018
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From New Zealand law student to the opening of her first solo sustainable restaurant Apricity (which won a Michelin green star in 2023), Chantelle Nicholson’s hard work and determination – especially in evolving free-from and plant-based cooking at the highest level – has cemented her reputation as one of the UK's most forward-thinking chefs.

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