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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Lemon Mousse Parfaits




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...There are two camps within the legions of dessert lovers. One is fanatically devoted to chocolate, the other to lemon. This week is dedicated to those who profess lemon to be their chocolate. First up, is a lemon mousse-like parfait that is creamy, tart, and as good looking as it is delicious. The parfait, developed by Sally Tager for Gourmet magazine, is a wonderful way to end a company meal. It's also marvelous for family celebrations and holidays. This is a custard-type dessert that's lightened with whipped creamed. The thought of lightening anything with whipped cream is an absurdity I know, but this is just one of many oxymorons we deal with each day of our lives. A whipped topping can be substituted for the heavy cream if you wish, but it will change the texture of the parfait and it won't be quite the same. This is easy to make and all the ingredients you need to make it can be found in your neighborhood grocery store. There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you decide to try these. Separate your eggs when they are cold, but whip them when they are at room temperature. When beating cream, the bowl and beaters you plan to use are should be well-chilled. I put mine into the freezer 30 minutes or so before I plan to beat the cream, which coincidentally, should also be icy cold. When zesting your lemons make sure to avoid the white pith. These parfaits are very tart, but only the lemon pith can make them bitter. They can also be made and frozen a day before serving, but if you want a creamy, mousse-like texture place them in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes before dessert is served. Lemon enthusiasts, prepare to be wowed by this easy and delicious treat. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Mousse Parfaits...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Sally Tager and Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice
3 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided use
Pinch of cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1 cup very cold heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions:
1) To make the custard: Combine lemon zest and juice, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan, whisking to combine. Over moderate heat, cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and reaches 160 - 170 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Transfer to another bowl to cool.
2) To beat egg whites: Place egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon attachment. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add reserved 1/2 cup sugar a tablespoon at a time. Beat on high speed until meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks, about 1 minute. Fold meringue into cooled lemon mixture.
3) To beat cream: Place icy cold cream in a chilled bowl and beat with clean chilled beaters until soft peaks form. Add confectioner' sugar and beat at medium speed until stiff peaks are formed. Fold Cream into lemon mixture.
4) To assemble: Divide mixture among eight (8-ounce) stemmed glasses. Freeze, covered with plastic wrap for at least 2 hours. Serve garnished with additional lemon zest, if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Cook's Note: Parfaits can be frozen for up to one day. Frozen parfaits should be transferred to refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before serving.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Lemon Blackberry Souffles - Baking Bites
Lemon Pie - Katy's Kitchen
Meyer Lemon Tart with Lightened Lemon Cream - Food Lover's Odyssey
Lemon Tart Brulee - Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy
Lemon Cakes - Pastry Studio
Lightened Up Lemon Bars - Half Baked
Old Fashioned Lemon Pudding - One Perfect Bite
Lemon Pound Cake - One Perfect Bite
Lemon Cloud - One Perfect Bite
Lemon Buttermilk Ice Cream - One Perfect Bite

81 comments:

  1. oh what a unique and refreshing flavor!

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  2. Gorgeous yellows in this picture and amazing flavors. Perfect!

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  3. What a gorgeous dessert! I used to always pick chocolate, but for the last few years, if given a choice between chocolate and lemon, I always go for the lemon. Have a fantastic weekend and Valentine's Day!

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  4. Though a self proclaimed chocoholic, my husband loves lemon desserts, too. He'd be delighted with a lemon mousse parfait. Thanks for sharing, Mary!

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  5. Beautiful Mary! Lucky me, I love both chocolate and lemon:@)

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  6. I hope you don't mind that I included you on my Valentine's Day blogroll. You have some very romanic dishes here!

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  7. Mary, I love lemon and this looks wonderful!

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  8. Lemon is indeed my chocolate Mary. I would enjoy it anyday over even my favourite candy bar.

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  9. This looks beautiful and sounds amazing!

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  10. My mouth is puckering in anticipation. I would LOVE this. Thanks. Susan

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  11. Even though I am decidely on the chocolate side, this looks wonderful!

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  12. Well, of course, dear lady...we must go through our lemons and our parfaits to get back to our chocolates. This looks and sounds lovely. Rock on, my friend...

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  13. My husband can't eat chocolate and I'm always looking for new desserts. This one sounds absolutely divine. And it's so pretty too!

    2 Kids and Tired Cooks

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  14. Mary - you had me at lemon. Very nice. Lemon is definitely my chocolate!

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  15. I am so glad you posted a lemon dessert--that is just what I was wanting tonight! Delicious!

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  16. Look absolutely nice! huggsss gloria

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  17. Thats a Gr8! Refreshing dessert,very cute presentation...

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  18. what a zesty refreshing treat! I'm bought over by your parfaits mary :)

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  19. Beautiful photo! I used to be in the chocolate camp but have now switched to the lemon camp. This looks so good.

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  20. I am a devotee to chocolate and lemon! This is gorgeous.

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  21. Count me in for anything lemon. Lemon and creamy even better! I'll pass the chocolate by anytime for a lemon dessert!

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  22. This looks bright and refreshing in the middle of winter! Great post!

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  23. This looks dreamy. I love how you lightened it with the whipped cream. Mmm!

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  24. I'm in the lemon camp -- Jim is in the chocolate camp -- these look yummy!

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  25. Looks so good and creamy! I guess I am in the minority, I love both lemon and chocolate!

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  26. So fresh and refreshing :). And the pic is very beautiful as always :)

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  27. Awesome looking dessert..the word fresh comes to mind as I see this.I would really like to try out some now :)


    US Masala

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  28. Mmmmmm I love lemon and these parfaits look delicious! I do like chocolate on occasion but one of my favorite desserts of all time is frozen lemon mousse. Can't wait to try this recipe - thanks!

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  29. You had me at lemon! I am making this....Can't wait! Thanks!

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  30. I just adore lemon desserts and your parfait looks so luscious and heavenly! Thanks for another great recipe. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  31. While I love chocolate, lemon is also a favorite, especially in desserts. My mouth starts watering even at the thought of eating something with lemon, so your parfaits are very enticing Mary!
    They are bookmarked to try.
    Have a wonderful week end!

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  32. Ooooo yummee Marie, the parfait is to die for. I am sorry I have been so stingy with commenting on your site. My life is pretty hectic right now, but I pray it will soon normalize and then I can visit my favorite blogs more often!

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  33. So lovely, and what a beautiful photo! It is so hard to photograph yellow (I think) but this photo is stunning!

    Happy Week-end

    Alessandra

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  34. Just reading the recipe is making my mouth water! Of course it is possible to love both chocolate and lemon:)I can't wait to try this!

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  35. This sounds a little like the Danish dessert, Citron Fromage - deliciously refreshing.

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  36. I'll take one of each since I love both chocolate and lemon. Actually I have had lemon on my mind a lot here lately. It must be because I am begging for spring!

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  37. Lemon is always so refreshing and I am sure this would be as well. Take care. Diane

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  38. I'm crazy for both chcolate and lemon, especially dark chocolate and Meyer lemons. :) Your lemon mousse parfait looks divine! Can't wait to try the recipe with the Meyer lemons I have on hand! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I'm glad you like my blog. If you don't mind, please become a follower so you won't miss out on the latest post and recipe. I just became the newest follower of your blog! You have such a lovely and beautiful blog yourself. :) Have a wonderful Valentine's weekend!

    Amy
    http://utry.it

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  39. Lovely idea for a dessert. Light, tangy and fresh zesty flavours!

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  40. Lemon mousse is one of my favourite desserts, sounds gorgeous!

    www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com

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  41. Does this mean I'm abnormal? I like both chocolate AND lemon!! But if I had to pick, I'd pick the citrus flavours!!

    Have a great weekend!!

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  42. Count me in for this recipe. I am in the lemon camp. Chocolate is good, but not my passion.Love that yellow flower you incuded.

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  43. I am a chocoholic but your lemon parfait is just as enticing..love it! :)

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  44. I'm in camp lemon. Or even more tart, passionfruit, if I can get it ;) Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm following you now, I LOVE finding new good foodie blogs. Great stuff here.

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  45. I am both a lemon and a chocolate lover! I could not choose one over the other and I am glad you gave the lemon side of me a treat! Thank you.

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  46. I'm definitely in favor of lemon when it comes to dessert. I've never had anything like a lemon mousse, but there is no question in my mind that I would enjoy it!

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  47. What a gorgeous dessert Mary. Give me lemon over chocolate any day. I love light, refreshing desserts. Looks beautiful and so tasty!

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  48. Actually I'm in the two camps... I'm a chocolate and a lemon lover... These parfaits looks really good and really would eat one of these right know even if it's 9 am... Have a good day!

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  49. i used to be a big chocolate lover, but now i'd probably prefer something citrusy like this. what a beautiful dessert, as always!

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  50. Lovely presentation looks awesome and bet it would taste excellent.

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  51. I definitely switch off between both camps. Love the mouse and I'll be honest, I've never actually had lemon mouse. I gotta make this!

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  52. I have to tell you - lemon is one of my most beloved flavors. This sounds heavenly!!

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  53. I reside in BOTH camps! Love how beautiful and refreshing this looks! Simple to make too - I almost always have all those ingredients on hand!

    Thanks Mary for another winner!!!

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  54. Love anything lemon, so sure I would love this. It looks wonderful.
    Thanks for visiting me at Delights of the Heart and leaving a comment. I see you must be in the Northwest also. You have a lovely blog.

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  55. I know a specific someone in my family who would be very happy to taste this light dessert. It looks very elegant Mary!

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  56. I like to think I bridge the chocolate and lemon camps because I have a sincere love of both of them! That being said, I'd be happy to drown in this lemon mousse. Perhaps with a drizzle of chocolate on top.

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  57. Beautifully lemony goodness!
    Wishing u a fantastic Valentine weekend dearest Mary!

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  58. Delicious!! The picture is soo pretty! I love lemon desserts! :)

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  59. In my "cookbook" there's no difference in chocolate desserts and lemon desserts. I never like having to choose!! Bring them on, one at a time.

    Today, I would just like a spoon and the lemon mousse parfait please.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  60. I happen to love both chocolate and lemon. These sound delightful and I love that photo with the yellow background. Shouts Spring!

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  61. A lovely luscious lemon dessert. It makes me think that spring is just around the corner.

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  62. Hello Mary! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!
    You have a lovely blog.
    This Parfait looks splendid.
    Have a lovely weekend!
    xx,

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  63. I'm a lemon fan and these look completely delicious.

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  64. Every so often, I enjoy a homemade chocolate cake or brownie. However, I'm definitely a lemon lover. I love how light this dessert sounds. Once again, you've hit a recipe right out of the ballpark with this one. Lemon is my chocolate! SAVED in my "to make" file.

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  65. Mary, this looks fabulous! If I don't choose chocolate, then lemon gets my vote.

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  66. I walk the line pretty evenly--much as I love chocolate when it comes to desserts I will just as happily order lemon if it's on the menu and actually prefer it in cakes and things. These parfaits look wonderful so sunny and delicious.

    Happy weekend! ;-)

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  67. Sounds wonderful! I love all things lemon!

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  68. That looks fabulous. I am going to give it a go this week. I love lemons which makes it more delightful.

    Tina xxx

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  69. Mary.. what a wonderful and refreshing lemon mousse parfaits. Great dessert! Happy Valentine's Day to you...have a blessed one with the family,
    Elin

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  70. I'm in the love lemon camp! Love this!

    Kristi

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  71. I would have to cut myself in half--I'm camp lemon AND camp chocolate! These parfaits seem, well, perfect. I'm definitely going to try these soon!

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  72. I am absolutely a lemon dessert fan, so this is calling to me! Do you really make the lemon custard over direct heat? Doesn't it scramble?

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  73. I love both lemon and chocolate desserts! Now I'm just thinking about which I'd give up if forced. Thank goodness that's a decision I probably will never have to make :)

    This dessert looks super delicious and refreshing!

    - Maggie

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  74. Oh! I just love this type of thing! Do you think I could be devoted to both lemon AND chocolate? :). Take care, Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  75. I have to admit to being fickle- I love both of them. :) This parfait is gorgeous!

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  76. Hmmm - looks so gorgeous and of course, delicious.

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  77. I would love to celebrate with this!

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  78. This parfait looks parfait!

    K and B (http://kitchenandbakery.blogspot.com)

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  79. refreshing dessert and attractive looking, mary!

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  80. Lemon Mousse Parfait - it looks like a little taste of heaven to me. I would definitely prefer this to chocolate, but I do have chocolate lovers in my home.

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