Harvest Mousse

Julie BrodieNo CommentsSeasonal

Harvest MousseMOUSSE

  1. 2 medium butternut squash (3 pounds), halved lengthwise and seeded
  2. 1/2 cup superfine sugar
  3. 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  4. 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and allspice
  5. 1 envelope unflavored powdered gelatin
  6. 2 tablespoons cold water
  7. 3 large egg whites
  8. 1 cup heavy cream

CANDIED SQUASH

  1. 1/2 cup sugar
  2. 1/2 cup water
  3. 1/2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
  4. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  5. 1 cup diced peeled butternut squash (1/2-inch cubes)
  6. Lightly sweetened whipped cream and  Spiced Almond Tulies for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the squash, cut side down, on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for about 1 hour, until very tender. Let cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh.
  2. In a food processor, combine 3 cups of the squash with 5 tablespoons of the superfine sugar and the maple syrup; puree until smooth. In a small bowl, stir together the ground spices; add them to the squash puree and pulse to blend.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let stand until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Melt the gelatin in a microwave oven at high power, about 10 seconds. Add the gelatin to the squash puree and pulse to combine. Scrape the puree into a large bowl.
  4. In a medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form. With the mixer on, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of superfine sugar and beat until the whites are stiff and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the squash. Pour the heavy cream into the bowl the whites were in and beat at medium speed until firm. Fold the whipped cream into the mousse. Spoon the mousse into 10 parfait glasses and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla bean and seeds and the pepper and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the squash and simmer over moderate heat until tender and glossy, about 15 minutes. Let the squash cool in the syrup.
  6. Just before serving, drain the squash. Garnish each mousse with whipped cream and the candied squash and serve with Spiced Almond Tuiles.
MAKE AHEAD The squash mousse and candied squash can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Spiced Almond Tuiles

  1. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  2. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  3. 3 large egg whites
  4. 1 cup unsalted roasted almonds, ground in a food processor
  5. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  6. 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  8. 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  9. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  10. 1/4 teaspoon allspice

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar until combined. Beat in the egg whites, one at a time. Add the ground almonds, flour and the ground spices and beat at low speed until a soft batter forms.
  2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon level teaspoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, about 4 inches apart. Using an offset spatula, spread the batter into 3-inch rounds. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Cool for 1 minute, then transfer the tuiles to a rack with a spatula. Cool the baking sheets between batches by running the undersides under cold tap water and drying thoroughly before replacing the parchment. Repeat with the remaining batter.
MAKE AHEAD The tuiles can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
-From Food and Wine