The June 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Dawn of Doable and Delicious. Dawn challenged the Daring Bakers to make Chocolate Pavlovas and Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse. The challenge recipe is based on a recipe from the book Chocolate Epiphany by Francois Payard.
I have been a bad Daring Baker. There were a few challenges that just didn't appeal - and they tend to be a lot of effort, so you don't want to end up with something you feel lukewarm about. But who can resist chocolate pavlova with chocolate mascarpone mousse? And there's a mascarpone cream thrown in for good measure. Not to mention the strawberries and raspberries that I added for extra yumminess.
But, to be honest, I'm not sure I would make this again. Each individual bit was fairly easy, but by the time you've made a chocolate meringue ...
... a creme anglaise ...
...which is then incorporated into a mascarpone cream, and a chocolate mascarpone mousse...
.. (not to mention the trauma of splitting the first lot of chocolate into a lumpy oily mess - what a waste of 70% Lindt chocolate!) you're expecting something pretty amazing. And it was only pretty good. Each individual part was yummy, and I liked the contrast of the meringue and the mousse. But I think I would have been just as happy just with the mousse. But then I do love a chocolate mousse.
Oh and I ended up with far too much mascarpone cream - a whole measuring jug full of the stuff and you really don't need that much for drizzling. But it seems to be slowly disappearing from the fridge, so I think it was a hit with Mr 'Splorer - that may be to do with the fact that it tasted quite a lot like vanilla ice cream!
If you want to try the recipe for yourself, you should find it here.
If you want to try the recipe for yourself, you should find it here.
Looks pretty amazing Nora. I would have dove in nose first lol
ReplyDeleteGoodness these looks lovely! Such a lovely summery dessert :)
ReplyDeleteNora this looks grand indeed and I would love to try a slice of it. Isn't it awful when ganache splits, mine seems to do it more often than not - bah!
ReplyDeleteoh wow a lil slice of heaven
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious with all the berries on top. I didn't make it this month but yours looks fab. Worth all the work
ReplyDeleteHi Nora, I started this challenge and then abandoned it... I am not a big chocolate lover and all the steps seemed to contain the same things: cream and sugar. I would like my desserts to be more interesting than that. :-P I'm looking forward to seeing what the next challenge is.
ReplyDeleteShame it didn't hit the spot - it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've had chocolate split and it's heartbreaking!
That sounds and looks really scrumptious.. will try it :)
ReplyDeleteLove chocolate pavlova, looks really good and beautiful too. Good job Mr 'Splorer liked it!
ReplyDeleteIt does look pretty wonderful but very high maintenance! I prefer throw it in and hope for best puds! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG I'm drooling here, that looks heavenly!
ReplyDeleteMaria
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