Prune Mousse Recipes

Steps:

• Drain off and reserve the juice from the prunes, then press each prune gently between your fingers to slip out the stone. Tip the prunes with the apple juice into a food processor or blender (there should be no more than 100ml juice). Add the brandy, if using, then process the fruit to a purée.
• In a small bowl, microwave the chocolate on High for 1-2 mins until melted. Stir in the orange zest and allow to cool slightly. Divide the yogurt between two bowls and stir the melted chocolate into one of them.
• Layer alternate spoonfuls of the three mixtures in four dessert tumblers, starting with a layer of prune purée, then natural yogurt followed by the chocolate yogurt mix. Finish with prune purée and top this with natural yogurt. If you like a marbled effect, swirl the layers together using a skewer.
• Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hr before serving, then scatter over the pistachio nuts to decorate.

Steps:

• Place prunes, tea, & sugar in a nonreactive saucepan with a cover. Gently simmer covered 10 minutes, add Armagnac & simmer uncovered for 5 minutes more. Add lemon juice. Set aside 4 prunes to drain for garnish.
• Puree rest of the prunes in food processor with 1/2 of the simmering liquid. Add more liquid by the tablespoonful if needed to keep puree from becoming too thick. You are shooting for a loose but jammy (not liquidy) consistency. Taste & add more sugar if necessary. Cool to room temp then chill in fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour - do not let get too thick to fold in whipped cream.
• Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it into the prune puree.
• Whip the egg whites until sharp peaks form (but not dry) and fold them into the prunes. Fold the grated chocolate into mousse with the egg whites.
• Pour into tall champagne flutes, dust with cocoa powder, garnish with reserved prune and chill for two hours before serving.

Steps:

• Place prunes in a medium-size saucepan, pour in 2 cups hot water and let stand for 1 hour. Transfer saucepan to the stove and bring prunes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes until soft.
• Drain prunes, reserving the liquid, and roughly chop. Add more hot water to the reserved prune water so it totals 2 cups. Place prunes and prune water back in the saucepan and add the sugar, powdered cinnamon and cinnamon stick. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water. Add the slurry to the prune mixture and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, to thicken mixture. Remove the cinnamon stick and ladle the pudding into ramekins. Let cool, then chill in the refrigerator. Serve cold.

Steps:

• Simmer the prunes, covered, in the tea and Armagnac with the lemon juice and sugar until soft (about 15 to 20 minutes). Puree in the food processor and add more sugar if necessary. Cool.
• Whip the heavy cream and fold it into the prunes.
• Whip the egg whites and fold them into the prunes. Pour into a serving dish or individual dishes and chill for one to two hours before serving.

Steps:

• Put the prunes and brandy in a small bowl and leave to steep for about 30 minutes until most of the brandy has been absorbed.
• Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5/fan oven 170C. Grease a 23cm/9in loose-bottomed cake tin or springform tin. Put the cocoa, chocolate, butter and 140g/5oz of the sugar in a pan, add 100ml/31⁄2fl oz hot water and gently heat until the mixture is smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar. Sift the flour and cinnamon over and gently fold in with a metal spoon, until almost combined. Add the chocolate mix and fold in until evenly combined.
• Pour the mixture into the tin and arrange the prunes over the top (they will sink into the sponge during baking). Sprinkle over any remaining brandy and bake for about 30 minutes until just firm. Serve with cream or crème fraîche.

Steps:

• Simmer the prunes, covered, in the tea and Armagnac with the lemon juice and sugar until soft (about 15 to 20 minutes). Puree in the food processor and add more sugar if necessary. Cool.
• Whip the heavy cream and fold it into the prunes. Whip the egg whites and fold them into the prunes. Pour into a serving dish or individual dishes and chill for one to two hours before serving. YIELD 4 servings.