Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Non Dairy

I made this yesterday for a dinner we were invited to.  It went down really well and I was asked by a few people what the recipe was.  I am not generally a big dessert person, I wasn't before I was diagnosed with diabetes either, but I do love me a chocolate mousse, especially if it is dark and rich and not too sweet.  I had one other restriction - no milk.   I made chocolate mousse a few weeks ago with butter and cream, it was delicious and I was hoping I could replicate the taste without those ingredients.  The reason for the milk restriction was that we were having Shabbat Dinner with friends and the main course was meat.  That means for religious reasons dessert cannot contain any milk, due to the prohibition of mixing the two.  I was reluctant to use margarine as a replacement for butter, thankfully I didn't need it.  So lets get down to it.  I used Lindt 70% cocoa chocolate.  I was tempted to use a mixture of that and the 85% but as I didn't know who would be there I kept it simple.  Feel free to experiment, if you use a higher percentage then you might want to add a little more sugar to stop it from becoming too bitter.  I kept things pretty simple but instead of the 2/3 cup of water you can use 1/3 cup water and 1/3 cup something else, possibilities are espresso, Tia Maria, chocolate or orange liqueur, brandy, or orange juice.

Not my chocolate mousse

Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 2.5 hours Mostly refridgerating
Servings: 10 people

Ingredients:

6 Large eggs
400g Dark chocolate 70% cocoa
2/3 cup Water
1/3 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Coarse salt

Directions:

1. Break the chocolate into a large metal bowl and add the water (and optional ingredients).  Melt over a double boiler / Bain Marie.  To make a double boil fill some water into a large pot and bring to the boil, you need enough so that it wont boil away but not enough that it will be touching the bottom of the metal mixing bowl.  Once the water comes to the boil place the mixing on top of the pot and turn down to a simmer.
2. Let the chocolate start to melt for a few minutes.
3. In the mean time separate the egg yolks and whites.  I use one less yolk, so I had 6 egg whites and 5 yolks.  Make sure there is no yolk in the white, better a little bit of white with the yolks than the other way around.
4. Once the chocolate has started to melt into the water stir with a wooden spoon.  It will look a little weird at first but mix it well and it will become silky smooth.  Keep mixing until all the chocolate has fully melted.  It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat.
5. While the chocolate is cooling a little whisk the egg whites.  I use a stand mixer (a Kenwood chef older than I am), I have done this by hand, it took two of us half an hour of switching in and out - I do not recommend this.  A electric hand whisk will do the job very well too.  Once the whites start to froth slowly add the sugar.  The more you add the sweeter it would be, I would said not more than double though.  Continue beating the whites until they are firm.  Lift the whisky out slowly and if forms a stiff peak then its ready.
6. If the chocolate has cooled a bit then its time to add the egg yolks, if the chocolate is too hot you will cook them.  Mix them through the chocolate mixture.
7. Combine the whites and the chocolate.  I start with about 1/4 to 1/3 of the whites, folding the white into the chocolate until it's uniform, then another 1/3 and then the rest.  Each time carefully folding the white into the chocolate.  Be careful when folding, if you are too rough with it then the whites will lose their fluffiness and you will have pudding instead of mousse.
8. Cover with plastic warp and refrigerate ideally for a few hours before serving. If it looks a bit runny at this point don't worry it should set in the fridge.
9. Before serving grate some chocolate over the top (If you used orange juice in the mix then perhaps add some orange rind to the topping) and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt, it's a really nice treat that brings out the flavour.
10. Enjoy

Double boiler setup

Stiff Peaks

Apps for PWDs (or DC rainmaker for diabetes)

This is a copy of a post I wrote a while ago, I am sure it there is more to add and as time goes on and things change I will try to keep this up to date.

There are more apps for iPhone than Android, especially more established apps. However there are still plenty to choose from on both platforms. I have included some non logging apps at the bottom.

Before I go into detail. Logging for me is one of the best things you can do to improve your control and more importantly your understanding of how different things affect you. Your health care team, research and books will give you general advice based on averages. Rarely do people fit neatly into nice categories and as such individual tweaking is necessary. That can be implemented by better understanding obtained through logging. I cannot recommend it enough.

A simple google search revealed a couple of lists which you can look at here:
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/top-iphone-android-apps-diabetes
http://www.tudiabetes.org/forum/topics/10-best-iphone-android-apps-for-diabetics
http://spoonful.com/type1/Our-favorite-type-1-diabetes-apps

I have posted them just in case you feel like getting some more ideas. These lists may not be up to date either. I have compiled my own list.

Dario http://mydario.com/ is at the top of my list right now. Currently only available for the iOS devices, but they have assured me that there is an Android version comming soon. I like this for a variety of reasons:

1) The device attaches to the audio port and use that to directly check you blood sugar. The test strips will be available by prescription.

2) They listen to me when I tell them what I like and don't like about their apps

3) The new user interface for the latest version is really nice, easy to use and still packs many features.

4) It has a mechanism for predicting HbA1c based on your blood tests.

Additionally it has a web interface and allows social media interaction through the app, I regard this as a good thing other people may not.

Diabeto http://diabe.to/ This is a device that plugs into your CGM and communicates with a logging app in your phone via bluetooth. Its not available yet but will be soon and when I get my hands one one I will let you know how it is.

Until now I have been using the wavesense / ibgstar app. It also is only for iOS but is a very simple to use logging app. I can easily record information about CHO intake, insulin, blood glucose and exercise along with notes. Its easy to compile a log and email it directly to my dietitian before consultation.
http://agamatrix.com/medical-devices/

Glucose Buddy is available for both devices.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skyhealth.glucosebuddyfree My brother uses it and likes it. I have used it on the iphone but they have newer versions that look like they include all the features necessary to keep a good log. It also has a web interface.

MySugr is a new app to the market with the goal of gamification. This may be aimed at a younger audience but their new approach has certainly attracted many new users. I have not played with it so I cannot comment directly. I am only going on what I have seen from my Diabetic friends on Facebook and Twitter have said. They have an app for both platforms and a web interface. https://mysugr.com/companion/

OnTrack https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gexperts.ontrack&hl=en got good reviews and is available for Android. I cannot personally comment but it did come up in the top lists as well so I am assuming that it does serve its purpose well.

Diabetes PA http://www.diabetespa.com/ A new nice looking app that I haven't had the chance to look at yet.

Carbs and Cals:
A highly recommended app for helping to estimate carbs and calories in random foods. Its not free but if it helps with your control whats a few shekels. Available for Android and iOS.

Spontaneous http://corp.deep-systems.com/he/ an app designed around helping know what they are eating in local restaurants, available for android and ios and also in Hebrew. It is targeted for Type 1 diabetics.

HelpAround http://helparound.co/ a social app for asking questions and getting help from people around you.

Strava www.strava.com 
This is a great GPS app for logging exercise, running or cycling. You can follow friends and set yourself training goals. Its very good I have been using it for a long time, the free version has loads of features. Its available for both platforms and has a web interface. Its also compatible with Garmin GPS devices.


KitchenBug http://www.kitchenbug.com/
Another great Israeli company that is like Pintrest for recipes. It is used to collect recipes that you find on the internet and store them in your own collection. It does this through a bookmarklet. When you see a recipe you press the button. It reads the recipe and selects directions and ingredients. It then calculates all the nutritional information. You can search for kosher recipes if that's what you are into. It gives a comment about whether or not it is suitable for PWDs, though this is more suited to Type2s than Type1s. I am working with them to improve this feature. The key is that for any recipe you can easily work out what you are eating in a meal, removes some of the guess work and is generally a great product.

If you have made it to the end of this post, well done. I hope it was helpful. Please add comments on what you think about the apps I have suggested or if you have other ones to suggest that I missed.