Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe

Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe – Eggless and Vegetarian

This rich, creamy, sweet melt in the mouth chestnut mousse recipe is simple, easy and glamorous to dress any dinner party. Keeping the process simple, easy eggless and vegetarian means everybody can enjoy just one dessert.

Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe – Eggless and Vegetarian

What are chestnuts? Which Chestnuts are we using for this Chestnut Mousse Recipe?

The Chestnuts we are using for this dessert  are delicious and nutritious fall and winter treats that grow on trees. The reason I’m specifying this is because there are more than one type of chestnuts!

If you have eaten in a Asian restaurant you probably have seen chestnuts in those dishes too but those are not the same. Water chestnuts or Chinese Chestnuts, some call them Asian chestnuts are completely different.

Most often you will see the sweet chestnuts will be sold in sealed packages unlike the Chinese Chestnuts are sold in cans.

The Chestnuts we are using unlike other nuts and seeds are relatively low in calories, carry less fat but are rich sources of minerals, vitamins and has immensely benefit health.

Now that we know which Chestnuts we are using let’s talk ingredients and Substitutes.

• Chestnuts – I like to buy the roasted pealed but unsalted one for this recipe obviously. Too much salt in this dessert may not be a great idea.
• Agar Agar –  I’m not a vegetarian and yet I prefer to use agar agar instead of gelatin because it’s plant based so a bit more healthy than gelatin. If you cannot find agar agar and don’t mind using gelatin go ahead and use 1 tbsp gelatin instead. The only difference is let the gelatin soak for a few minutes before you cook it. Cool slightly then add to the warm pastry cream.
• Eggless Vanilla Pastry Cream – This is of course eggless and vegetarian .
  You can use my decadent and delicious classic French vanilla pastry cream if you can eat egg yolks  but I usually do prefer to keep my desserts lite for the family and the eggless works better in terms of less calories.
• Egg whites – I’m keeping this vegetarian and eggless but If you like your mousse more lighter and fluffy. Whisk two pasteurized egg whites with 2 tbsp sugar to stiff peaks and fold them gently into the mousse.

Recipe – Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe

Tools 

• Saute Pan
• Food Processor
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Mixerwith Whisk attachment

Ingredients

• 2 cups Chestnuts
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup Fresh whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar + 3 tbsp for whipping cream
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tsp Agar Agar

Method

Chestnut Puree 

• Save 3 to 4  chestnuts aside for garnish
• Save 1/4 cup milk aside for the cornstarch
• Pour remaining milk in a saute pan – add the remaining chestnuts.
• Cook the chestnuts in the milk for 5 to 7 mins on medium low to soften them.
• Remove the chestnuts out – while still warm place them in the food processor with a few tbsp of milk to make a smooth puree.

Prepare eggless pastry cream

• Place the milk back on medium heat add sugar – stir until sugar dissolves.
• Add cornstarch to the saved 1/4 cup cold milk
• Add cornstarch mix to the hot milk.
• Stir constantly with a whisk until thick.
• Set aside – cover and keep warm

Whip the Fresh Cream

• Place cream in a mixer with a whisk attachment
• Add sugar and whisk till soft peaks

Dissolve Agar Agar 

• Place agar agar in the water
• and place on medium low heat until well dissolved

Assembly

• Add agar agar mixture the pastry cream mixture – Whisk thoroughly
• Next add Chestnut puree – whisky well again
• Fold the whipped cream gently.
• Pour mousse mixture into pasty or plastic bag for easy pour
• Carefully pour into individual serving cups
• Chill in the fridge for a few hours.
• Garnish with slices of chestnuts.

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Recipe Card – Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe

I do hope you enjoy this recipe. Don’t forget to check out my mention on substitutes if you have questions.