
Indulge in a silky, sophisticated chocolate mousse enriched with fruity extra-virgin olive oil and sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry. Served alongside crisp, lemon-scented almond biscuits, this elegant dessert is the perfect finale for any dinner party.
Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in short 20-second bursts, stirring in between. Set aside to cool completely to room temperature.
In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks and caster sugar. Using an electric hand mixer, beat for 3–4 minutes until the mixture is pale, thick, and leaves a trail when the beaters are lifted.
Gently fold the Pedro Ximénez sherry and extra-virgin olive oil into the egg yolk mixture. Gradually stir in the cooled melted chocolate and the double cream until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
In a separate clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Stir a large spoonful of the whites into the chocolate base to loosen it, then very gently fold in the remaining egg whites using a large metal spoon or spatula, being careful not to knock out the air.
Divide the mousse between six ramekins or serving glasses. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or ideally overnight, until firmly set.
To prepare the biscuits, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas 4). In a medium bowl, mix the flour, ground almonds, bicarbonate of soda, and light brown sugar. Make a well in the center and add the whole egg, lemon zest, vanilla bean paste, and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix into a dough, then chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the biscuit dough into 18 small balls and arrange them on the sheets, leaving plenty of space between each. Press down slightly to flatten, then top each with a whole blanched almond.
Bake for 15 minutes until the biscuits are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve the chilled mousse with the biscuits on the side.
For the best flavor, use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil with fruity rather than peppery notes. Ensure your egg whites are whisked in a completely grease-free bowl to achieve the best volume. The biscuits can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.





