RECIPE: STRAWBERRY MOUSSE (EGGFREE)
Strawberry Mousse (eggfree) is a smooth, creamy, fruity and delicious dessert to serve during any occasion. Easy to make, I’ve used agar agar instead of gelatin.
Memories
The first time I made strawberry mousse was when I was around 18. At that time, with no internet and Google, the only way I could try out new recipes was to follow Tarla Dalal cooking books. Her Strawberry Mousse recipe used strawberry jelly. For some years that’s how I made it. That is till Google came into my life and I started trying out the ‘real’ mousse recipe.
What is Mousse?
A mousse can be sweet or savory. Its soft food whereby air bubbles gives it a light and airy texture or can be creamy and fluffy. It all depends on the ingredients used. While I’ve not tasted any savory mousse so far, I do enjoy the sweet ones.
Basic Components of Mousse
The Base – using fruit puree, chocolate, cheese, yogurt, meat or fish.
The Binder – the binder can be whisked egg white, gelatin, agar agar or chia seeds.
The Aerator – usually whipped cream or egg whites are used.
The Flavoring – spices, herbs, extracts, seasoning, etc.
My Journey With Shhh Cooking Secretly
When I first came across the group Shhh Cooking Secretly, immediately I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Rightly so because of several reasons:
- Firstly, it would challenge me to cook with two ingredients that I’ve not decided on.
- Secondly, it would give me the opportunity to get to know other Food Bloggers and becomes friends.
- Thirdly, it would give the chance to go through my bookmarked or jotted recipes. Of which I have so many!
- Lastly, an exposure to the world for my blog.
I joined the group in July 2014 and have enjoyed being a part of this group ever since. Slowly, members began to lose interest in the group and members began to dwindle. The group was dying and some of us decided to revive the group. Slowly, the group was on its feet again but with few members. In order to give it fresh life we decided to have monthly themes. Partners gave each other two secret ingredients based on the theme.
Shh Secretly Cooking Group
So, what is the group all about? Well, participants are paired up. Then we get in touch with each other and give two secret ingredients. Accordingly, we prepare a dish and post a picture or photo. The other members try and guess the two secret ingredients. Some are easy to guess and some not so easy. It is the fun part of the group. Most members try to hide their ingredients and some leave subtle hints.
My Partner for the Theme Valentine’s Day
My Partner for this theme is non other than Priya Suresh. In fact, Shh Cooking Secretly is her baby. Right now, I’m helping to run it as a co administrator. Priya blogs at Priya’s Versatile Recipes. Her blog is a treasure trove for both Indian and International dishes. In particular I like all her baked goodies. Fortunately, Priya gave me strawberry and cream which allowed me to prepare a proper Strawberry Mousse. In contrast, I gave her peanut butter and chocolate. So, she prepared Eggless Peanut Blossom Cookies.
Strawberry Mousse
While, I have used agar agar powder to prepare Strawberry Mousse, you can use agar agar flakes or even gelatin. Remember, you don’t want a firmly set dessert as this is a mousse. A little will help to hold the structure.
What is Agar Agar?
Agar agar also known as kanten, vegetable gelatin, China grass, or dai choy goh is a vegan gelling agent derived from red algae, a type of seaweed.
Remember:
1 tbsp agar agar flakes = 1 tsp agar agar powder = 1 tsp gelatin powder
Strawberries
Use either fresh or frozen as you need strawberry puree.
Fresh Cream vs Non Dairy Whipping Cream
If you use heavy fresh cream, you don’t need to add any setting agent like agar agar or gelatin. We also get dairy whipping cream which is lighter. Because of the hot weather here and I use whipping cream, I like to use a bit of agar agar to hold the mousse in shape.
However, the non dairy whipping cream has low fat content and sometimes may not hold shape. In case you want to use the non dairy whipping cream, you have to add a setting agent. Using non dairy whipping cream does make the mousse much lighter.
Some Mousse Recipes to Check out:
- Keto Pumpkin Mousse
- Rose and Saffron Yogurt Mousse
- Chocolate Date Mousse
- Thandai Mousse
- Watermelon Mousse
- Pina Colada Mousse
- Pomegranate Mousse
- Mango Mousse
Ingredients Required For Strawberry Mousse (Eggfree):
Strawberries – fresh or frozen. Wash, hull and chop the fresh strawberries. Puree them without adding any water.
Fresh Cream – whether to use heavy, or whipping cream its your choice. Can also use non dairy whipping cream.
Powdered Sugar – or icing sugar, confectioners’ sugar.
Agar Agar – either flakes or powder. Need 2 tbsp of flakes or 2 tsp of powder.
Milk – to soak and melt the agar agar
Vanilla Extract – or add some lemon zest.
STRAWBERRY MOUSSE
Ingredients
- 1½ - 2 cups chopped strawberries (approx. 300g)
- 1 cup chilled whipping cream (fresh cream) (200 ml)
- 4 - 6 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 tsp agar agar powder
- ¼ cup milk
For Topping:
- some strawberries slices or chocolate
Instructions
- Soak agar agar in the milk for 10 -15 minutes.
- Wash and hull the strawberries.
- Puree the strawberries in a food processor.
- Whip cream and sugar together till it forms soft peaks.
- Put the whipped cream back in the fridge till required.
- Heat the milk and agar agar mixture.
- Stir till the agar agar dissolves.
- Add it to the strawberry puree immediately and mix well.
- Add the strawberry puree to the whipped cream and fold it till its mixed.
- Spoon the mixture into 6 glasses or serving bowls.
- Chill the mousse for 6-8 hours.
- Top it with chopped /sliced strawberries, chocolate or both and serve.
Notes
- Keep all the ingredients ready before you dissolve the agar agar in the hot water. It sets very fast.
- If the agar agar mixture sets before you add it to the strawberry puree, just heat it up again.
- The amount of sugar required will depend on how sweet the strawberries are.
- The number of servings will depend on the size of bowls or glasses you use.
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