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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Raspberry Mousse Brownie - Back in Time with Valentine's Theme

2.17.11


Did you celebrate Valentine's day?

Why do we celebrate Valentine's day? I'm not going to touch on history and facts. For me, it's an excuse to do something nice and fun; treat it like a special day to grant a wish or give a wish.  I'm not sure how it started but in Asia we have a Valentine's day and a White Valentine's day. Valentine's day is a day when males express feelings to females. On the contrary, a white valentine's day is a day when females express feelings to males. Interesting huh? I think so too.

I found fascinating information from a National Geographic website talking about V-day.

"Among those who are celebrating in 2011, the average U.S consumer is expected to spend $116.21 on Valentine's Day gifts, meals, and entertainment, according to the survey -- about $13 more per person than in 2010."

Yep. I know. This is crazy! Our economy is going to recover soon(?).

So for us, we didn't help spur up the economy much because we stayed home cooking.  Thinking about making a reservation with a nice restaurant, fighting a crowd, getting home late, and getting up early to work the next day, had worn me out. Staying at home was such a brilliant idea all of a sudden.

It was a little challenging to prepare a 3-course meal on a weekday but we managed it alright. The coolest thing was Keith helped me cook. Well, this rarely happens in my kitchen! We had an Asian tomato soup for the first course, a five spice powder seared Ahi tuna salad with wasabi dressing for the second course, and this sweet adorable brownie for the third course.

I tried to find a recipe that accommodated ingredients I already had and adapted it to suit my preference. I also changed the shape of it by using a plating/dessert ring to make it round and tall. It looks pretty good (hehe). We loved it; so did our friends. Happy belated Valentine's Day!

PS: I'm not able to provide directional photos for this dish because I was busy preparing the meal. As you know it was hectic in the kitchen. Sorry about that!





Raspberry Mousse Brownie
Yield: 4 (Cut it by 3" dessert ring. If you use a smaller ring, you can get more than 4)

Ingredients

Brownie:

4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped
1 tbs cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups AP flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup (2/3 stick) butter, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/3 cup frozen or fresh raspberries, drained, mashed

Raspberry Mousse:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped chocolate
a few drops food coloring (red) - optional

Directions for Brownie:
This can be made a day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Line foil on a 9 inch baking pan.
  • Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Melt chocolate in a microwave or a bowl above simmering boil water.
  • Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
  • Add eggs one at a time. Beat until fluffy.
  • Beat in melted chocolate.
  • Gradually add flour mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until combined.
  • Stir in raspberries. Spread in a baking pan.
  • Bake for 25-30 mins or until wooden stick inserted in center come out slightly sticky. Let cool on a wire rack.
Directions for Mousse:
  • Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using) until creamy.
  • Fold in raspberries and chopped chocolate.
  • In another bowl, beat creamy until stiff peak. Fold it into raspberry mixture.
Assemble:
  • Use a dessert ring cut out brownie. Adjust the brownie in the ring so that there's desired space for the mousse.
  • Spread mousse on top of brownie.
  • Keep everything in the ring and refrigerated until it's set.
  • Remove the ring from bottom to top. Decorate and serve.









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21 comments:

Emily said...

What a smart idea of using rocky sticks as decoration! And I gotta say the dessert looks amazing.....wouldn't mind having this made for me for V day, hehe!

Happy Belated Valentine's day to you! :)

Unknown said...

Looks super tempting n delicious

Anonymous said...

A stunning dessert with the brownie and the raspberry mousse layer, your presentation is just gorgeous!

ann low said...

WOW! Looks so classic and like a piece of art :)

Unknown said...

Hi Tanantha, this is an elegant Valentine dessert and so pretty with the raspberry mousse. I like the way you layered the mousse on top of the brownie, such a beautiful presentation. I think I would like to post an elegant romantic dessert, thanks for inspiring me;-)
Ps. I do love yellow but my favorite color is blue, what's yours? Maybe pink???

Roxan said...

T, I've missed you. Glad to hear you had a nice vday at home with your husband! Eric also helps to cook sometimes but mostly he doesn't because our kitchen doesn't really fit two people! Someday, we will have a bigger kitchen.
Beautiful dessert :) It's a perfect vday dessert.

Faith said...

This is the perfect Valentine's dessert! Actually, I think it's pretty much the perfect dessert for any day of the year. It's so classy and romantic. We stayed in for Valentine's this year too...it was so much more relaxed than going out like we've done in past years. I love that Keith helped you in the kitchen! That really is a great gift, isn't it? :)

Magic of Spice said...

What a gorgeous valentines dessert! And how fun that your husband helped out in the kitchen ;)
I need to get new rings as I can not find mine anywhere...comes from having too many toys I guess :) Hope you guys had a wonderful valentines day!

LeQuan said...

Your raspberry mousse brownie looks delicious, Tanantha! Gorgeous presentation as well. I love it when the hubby helps out in the kitchen, but that usually means we have two holy terrors running around. Haha. Your whole meal sounded lovely. I'm glad you were able to enjoy a nice Valentine's day with Keith. Hope you're having a good week.

She's Cookin' said...

Yep, we stayed in, too. Don't like dealing with the crowds and usually sub par food from a prefix menu. But I didn't attempt a three course meal - a little dark chocolate sufficed for dessert. Wish we lived closer - this dessert would have been the perfect ending to my red dinner - only if you made it ;) Gorgeous in every way!

Angie's Recipes said...

What a beautifully presented dessert! Looks so very inviting!

Lazaro Cooks said...

T,

Gorgeous. Perfectly executed. And what about the presentation?! Wow factor for sure.

Bravo

momgateway said...

grogeous mousse...decadent topping for a brownie..

Victoria said...

What a beautiful dessert for V-day! I don't really have a Valentine, so I got away with not spending the estimated $100+ this year (maybe I can buy myself something nice with what I saved, haha).

Saeng said...

Wow, nice way to celebrate the V day for sure!

Stella said...

Hey Tanantha! We don't do V-Day in our hollow. I kind of think of it as big farce (smile but seriously). The man is trying to get our money...:)
Either way though, your brownie with raspberry mousse looks amazing, love...!

Monet said...

What a beautiful dessert! And so much better than a night out! Ryan and I also stayed at home for Valentine's Day...we made a simple yet tasty meal, and it was delightful. Thank you for sharing with me tonight! I hope you have a great weekend, my dear.

Unknown said...

Hey Tanantha, It sounds like you had a very nice V-day. This raspberry mousse brownie looks so cute--and delicious! The colors are perfect! Love the tidbit about white V-day in Asia--what a nice idea.

A little bit of everything said...

Such a STUNNING dessert.love the presentation. chocolate and raspberry is such a delicious combo.
thanks for sharing Tanantha.

Sandra said...

Ohh I am in love with this dessert! Looks amazingly delicious!

Sandy - Everyday Southwest said...

I came looking for a tuna salad, and found Raspberry Mousse Brownies instead! They look delicious!
Congratulations on the top 9!

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