White-Chocolate Mousse Parfaits

Yield: eight small parfaits (3 cups mousse)

4 oz. good-quality white chocolate, chopped
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 ripe mango, cut into small chunks
20 gingersnaps or chocolate wafers, crushed

Melt the white chocolate in a small, heatproof bowl over simmering water or in a microwave. (how to melt.... ). Stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside and proceed immediately; the chocolate needs to be very warm for this speedy recipe to succeed.

Pour the cream into a medium bowl and add the vanilla and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the cream forms firm but not stiff peaks, about 2 to 3 min. (Don't go too far or the cream will curdle when the chocolate is beaten in.) Scrape the very warm white chocolate into the cream. Continue beating on medium-high speed until well blended and firm, about 30 seconds. The mousse should form a dollop when dropped from a spoon.

To serve, spoon the mousse into tall glasses, alternating with layers of the mango chunks and crushed cookies.

Tips

• Be careful when you melt the white chocolate -- it burns easily, so use very low heat. more info!
• This mousse can also be served alongside a fresh fruit compote.

Other combinations:
fresh raspberries or quartered strawberries with crushed chocolate cookies; reconstituted dried apricots with gingersnaps; blueberries with vanilla wafers.

White Chocolate Creme Brulee

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Yield: 4 Servings

5 lg Egg yolks
1/2 c Sugar
2 c Whipping cream
3 oz White chocolate imported, finely chopped
1/4 ts Vanilla extract
2 tb Sugar

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 300F. Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl. Bring cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add chopped chocolate to cream mixture and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk hot chocolate mixture into yolk mixture. Mix in vanilla.
Ladle custard into four 10-oz. custard cups (or creme brulee cups). Place cups in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Bake until custards are set in center,
about 1 hour. Remove custards from water and cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat broiler. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon sugar over each custard. Broil until sugar caramelizes, watching carefully, about 2 minutes. Serve hot, or refrigerate up to 1 hour and serve cold.