Guinness Dark & White Chocolate Mousse
Top off your St. Patrick's day celebration no better way than with this smooth and creamy Guinness dark chocolate mousse dessert. Pair this rich recipe with Baileys Original Irish Cream or a Guinness Pub Draught.Ingredients
Serves 8
8 oz (250 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter
¾ cup (175 ml) Guinness Draught
¼ tsp (1 ml) fine salt
3 large eggs, yolks and whites separated
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
2¼ cups (560 ml) whipping cream, divided
6 oz (170 g) white chocolate, chopped
chocolate shavings, for garnish
Instructions
- To make dark chocolate Guinness mousse, place bittersweet chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl. In a medium saucepan, bring about 1-in (2.5 cm) water to a simmer over medium heat. Place bowl containing chocolate over saucepan, making sure bottom of bowl does not touch water. Stir until chocolate has melted and is smooth, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Guinness, salt and egg yolks until well combined. Add mixture to hot melted chocolate and using a rubber spatula stir until combined. Remove bowl from heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites until frothy. Slowly add granulated sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Clean whisk attachment for re-use. In a medium bowl, using hand mixer with whisk attachment, whip 1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold half of whipped cream and half the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture until just combined. Fold remaining whipped cream and egg whites into chocolate mixture just until mixture is homogeneous. Spoon or pipe chocolate mousse equally into 8 wine or parfait glasses, taking care to fill glasses only to a maximum of three quarters full. Place glasses on a rimmed baking sheet, cover glasses with plastic wrap and refrigerate while making white chocolate mousse.
- To make white chocolate mousse, in a small saucepan, combine ½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream and white chocolate and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium heatproof bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring twice, about 30 minutes.
- Once white chocolate mixture has cooled, in a medium bowl, whip remaining ¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream using a hand mixer fitted with whisk attachment until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream into white chocolate mixture. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate alongside dark chocolate Guinness mousse for at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.
- When ready to serve, transfer white chocolate mousse to a piping bag fitted with a large star piping tip. Pipe white chocolate mousse over top dark chocolate Guinness mousse and garnish with chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Red Velvet Stacks
Handheld spring desserts to offer at your next picnic or garden party.Ingredients
Serves 12
5 cups (1.25 L) flour, spooned and levelled
2 tsp (10 ml) salt
3 cups (750 ml) sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) baking soda
¼ cup (60 ml) cocoa powder
2 cups (500 ml) buttermilk
2 cups (500 ml) vegetable oil
4 large eggs, room temperature
4 tsp (20 ml) white vinegar
4 tbsp (60 ml) red food colouring gel
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract, divided
2 x 8 oz (500 g) brick cream cheese
¼ cup (60 ml) butter
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
4 cups (1 L) icing sugar
strawberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease and line 2 rimmed 12‑in x 17-in (30 cm x 43 cm) baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, sugar, baking soda and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, mix buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, red food colouring and 1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract.
- Sift and fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl to fully incorporate batter.
- Evenly pour batter into prepared baking sheets and bake for about 25 minutes, or until knife inserted in centre of cake comes out clean.
- Cool on wire rack. Once cooled, run blunt knife along edges of pan to release cake, if necessary, and invert onto clean surface. Peel and discard parchment lining. Using a 2¼‑in (5.5 cm) round cutter, cut 18 cake circles from each sheet cake and store in airtight container until ready to use.
- In large bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract and salt until smooth. Mix in 1 cup (250 ml) icing sugar at a time until frosting is fully incorporated and holds together. Transfer frosting to large piping bag fitted with #12 round piping nozzle.
- Pipe ½-in (1.25 cm) frosting mounds around outer edge and centre of 2 cake circles. Place 1 cake circle on top of the other and top with a third circle. Repeat this step to create 12 Red Velvet stacks.
- Decorate the top of each stack with remaining frosting and garnish with strawberries, as desired.
Drink Pairings
CHAMPAGNE-MARINATED OLIVES WITH FETA
Be the toast of the town this New Year’s by throwing a gathering full of inspired bites that are not only delicious, but also easy to whip together as well. All that will be left is to pop a bottle of Champagne and toast to the New Year.Ingredients
Serves Serves 6
2 cups (500 ml) Castelvetrano olives, drained and rinsed well under cold water
⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup (60 ml) champagne
4 strips orange peel
2 garlic cloves, cut into thirds
1 small rosemary sprig
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fennel seeds
¼ tsp (1 ml) red pepper chili flakes
1 cup (250 ml) cubed feta cheese, about the same size as olives
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients except feta cheese and bring to a slow simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Turn off heat, place a lid on saucepan and let everything sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Add feta cheese and gently stir to coat it in marinade. Transfer everything to a serving bowl and enjoy at room temperature. If desired, marinated olives and feta may be prepared up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Drink Pairings
MUSTARD PRETZEL BITES
The perfect après treat: beer and cheese fondue with pretzel bites. Find the beer and cheese fondue recipe on our recipes page.Ingredients
Serves Serves 4 to 6
1½ cups (375 ml) warm water
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 package (2¼ tsp/7 g) dry yeast
⅓ cup (75 ml) butter, melted
2½ tsp (12.5 ml) salt
3 tbsp (45 ml) grainy mustard, divided
4½ cups (560 g) all-purpose flour
16 cups (4 L) water
½ cup (125 ml) baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) coarse sea salt
Instructions
- In bowl of a standard mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, add water, sugar and yeast. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes.
- Add butter, salt, 2 tbsp (30 ml) grainy mustard and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Continue mixing for another 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from sides of bowl.
- Take a separate bowl and grease sides with vegetable oil. Place dough in the bowl and coat it with oil. Cover with shrink wrap or a tea towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about one hour. Alternatively, let it rise overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). In a large pot, bring 16 cups (4 L) water to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium and carefully add baking soda. This will make the water rise up, so be careful. Turn the heat back up to high. Line a baking pan with parchment paper
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a rope about 1-in (2.5 cm) thick.
- Cut the ropes into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces.
- Drop 12 to 15 pieces of dough into pot, let water return to a boil then continue to cook for about 30 seconds. Remove pretzel bites with a spider or large slotted spoon and drain. Lay pretzel bites on baking sheet, leaving at least 2-in (5 cm) between each bite. Continue working until all pretzels have been boiled.
- Mix egg, whipping cream and remaining grainy mustard. Brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake pretzels until they are golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with fondue.
Drink Pairings
BEER & CHEESE FONDUE SERVED WITH MUSTARD PRETZEL BITES
The perfect après treat: beer and cheese fondue with pretzel bites. The pretzel bites recipe can be found on our recipes page.Ingredients
Serves Serves 4 to 6
½ lb (250 g) Brussels sprouts, halved
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup (250 ml) pilsner beer
½ lb (250 g) Gruyère cheese, grated
½ lb (250 g) raclette cheese, grated
¼ lb (125 g) fontina cheese, grated
¼ lb (125 g) smoked Gouda cheese, grated
1½ tbsp (22 ml) cornstarch
1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream
4 chives, thinly sliced
Mustard Pretzel Bites, make ahead, recipe follows, to serve
1 large garlic sausage, sliced 1-in (2.5 cm) thick, to serve
2 radicchios, cut into 8 pieces, to serve
1 apple, cored and sliced, to serve
6 radishes, halved, to serve
1 small jar cornichons, to serve
16 cherry tomatoes, to serve
3 endives, quartered, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring garlic and beer to a simmer over medium heat. In a bowl, toss grated cheeses with cornstarch. Once beer starts to simmer, reduce heat to low and add in a handful of cheese at time, stirring well after each addition and only adding more once cheese has melted. When all cheese has been incorporated, add cream and mix well. Transfer to a pre-warmed fondue bowl, garnish with chives, and serve with Mustard Pretzel Bites and remaining ingredients.
Featuring
APPLE & CALVADOS BUTTER
This delicious homemade preserve is the perfect accompaniment to your holiday entertaining spread. Wrap up a jar or two in a curated gift box of edible treats and you are sure to be the gifting superstar this year!Ingredients
Serves 3 cups (750 ml)
6 lbs (3 kg) Jonagold or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) pieces
1 cup (250 ml) lightly packed golden brown sugar, or to taste
1 large pinch fine sea salt
¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened apple cider
1 vanilla bean
½ cup (125 ml) Père Magloire Fine VS Calvados
Instructions
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine apples, brown sugar, salt and apple cider. Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds from pod. Add seeds and pod to saucepan and stir to combine.
- Over medium-high heat, bring mixture just to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking for approximately 1 hour, stirring frequently and mashing apples with the back of a spoon until they are fully cooked and no lumps remain. (Cooking time will vary depending on apple type.) Add Calvados and cook for another 30 minutes, or until almost all liquid has been absorbed into apples.
- Remove from heat and remove vanilla bean. Spoon apple butter into sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Cool for 1 hour and store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Use as a sweet side on crêpes, toast or French toast.
Drink Pairings
VEGETARIAN CHILI NACHOS TEX-MEX STYLE
Relax this winter with this delicious chili recipe.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
2 tsp (10 ml) garlic powder
2 tsp (10 ml) cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
1 x 28 oz (796 ml) can diced tomatoes
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
4 oz (125 g) tortilla chips
12 oz (340 g) Tex Mex or Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 small jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
1 small red chili, thinly sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 handful cilantro leaves
1 cup (250 ml) salsa
1 cup (250 ml) tomatillo salsa
1 cup (250 ml) sour cream
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, sauté red bell peppers, onion, garlic and spices in vegetable oil until tender. Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Check seasoning and adjust (remember that chips are salted).
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). On a parchment-lined baking sheet, layer tortilla chips, chili and cheese. Repeat until you have used all ingredients. Bake until cheese in middle has melted, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Garnish with jalapeño pepper, red chili, green onions and cilantro. Serve with salsas and sour cream.
Drink Pairings
BAKED FETA DIP WITH ROASTED TOMATOES, PEPPERS & OLIVES
Perfect for the holidays, game day and beyond!Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
8 oz (250 g) cherry tomatoes
1 cup (250 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic
3 sprigs thyme
½ sprig rosemary
2 sprigs oregano
2 jarred roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
½ cup (125 ml) pitted, sliced Kalamata olives
2 cups (500 ml) Macedonian feta
2 tbsp (30 ml) whipping cream
4 pita bread
basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Place tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary and oregano in a small oven-safe saucepan. Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit in saucepan. Place parchment inside saucepan, pressing it down so the oil seeps up over the paper. Heat saucepan over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, then place it in oven for 30 minutes. Remove and discard parchment, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Add roasted peppers and olives and set aside.
- Using a blender, mix feta and cream until smooth. Transfer feta mix to a small baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. Spoon tomatoes, peppers and olives over top. Garnish with basil leaves.
- Brush pita bread with olive oil from tomatoes and grill until warmed through. Cut into wedges and serve with feta dip.
Drink Pairings
Brûlée Brie with Bourbon-Kissed Cranberries
While we all know and love a good crème brûlée, there is so much more that we can do with the simple brûlée cooking technique. Take your brie to new levels with a brûléed treatment and garnished with delicious bourbon-kissed cranberries.Ingredients
Serves 4
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar, plus extra to brûlée brie
½ cup (125 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) Four Roses Bourbon
2 cups (500 ml) fresh cranberries
1 wheel (200 g) double cream brie cheese
baguette slices, for serving
fruits and nuts, for serving
Instructions
- To make bourbon-kissed cranberries, in a small saucepan, bring ½ cup (125 ml) each sugar and water to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Once mixture reaches a simmer and sugar has dissolved, stir in bourbon and remove saucepan from heat.
- Transfer cranberries to a sealable container and pour warm sugar mixture over berries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
- To make brûlée brie, cut off rind from top of brie wheel. Sprinkle a generous, even layer of sugar on top of cheese. Take a brûlée torch to sugar layer and wave it across sections until sugar is melted and nicely browned. Repeat with another 2 to 3 layers of sugar for a thicker sugar crust, if desired.
- To serve, transfer cheese to a serving platter or board and top with bourbon-kissed cranberries. Garnish platter with baguette slices, sliced seasonal fruits and nuts. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Savoury Coeur a la creme served with Red Pepper Relish
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
⅓ cup (75 ml) minced shallots
1 large garlic clove, minced
6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
1 tbsp (15 ml) white wine or lemon juice
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt, divided
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) ground black pepper
2 red bell peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 small white onion, finely chopped
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) crushed pink peppercorns
assorted crackers and fruit, to serve
Instructions
- Line 4 small coeur à la crème moulds each with a double layer of cheesecloth large enough to leave a 2-in (5 cm) overhang once cheesecloth has been placed in mould. Place moulds on plate or small rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Alternatively, line a 6-in (15 cm) fine mesh sieve with at least a double layer of cheesecloth large enough to extend beyond rim of sieve by at least 2-in (5 cm). Set sieve in a bowl and set aside.
- In a small frying pan, warm oil over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute more. Transfer mixture to a bowl and set aside to cool.
- Place cream cheese in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed until thick and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly pour in whipping cream, mixing until cream is fully incorporated. Add wine or lemon juice, cooled shallot mixture, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt and pepper. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and whip until mixture is thick, creamy and fully incorporated, about 1 minute
- Spoon cream cheese mixture into prepared moulds or sieve and smooth top(s) with a spatula. Fold cheesecloth overhang over top of cream cheese mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Meanwhile, make Red Pepper Relish. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together red pepper, onion, sugar, vinegar and remaining ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and consistency resembles a sticky jam, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in pink peppercorns and let cool to room temperature. If making ahead, transfer to an airtight container; it will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.
- When ready to serve, generously spread relish in a circle a little bigger than your Coeur à la crème onto serving plates or a platter. Peel back cheesecloth and invert Coeur à la crème onto relish. Garnish with additional relish, if desired, and serve with a selection of crackers and fruit.