Chocolate Orange Mousse

Just in time for Valentines! I haven't been posting much because I have taken on some other work with my food creating. I am also working on putting together a cookbook. YES! FINALLY- it's happening. I will be putting together all of my loved and favorite recipes with a little extra writing and stories to the mix but I am hoping to get that into hands by next year. But this past weekend I found myself busy cooking and loving at another wellness retreat and served these beauties as a little after meal treat. They are just that- a little treat- a few bites of chocolate goodness to savor those last moments around the table and in laughter. I hope you surround yourself with LOVE this week and always and remember to love well you have to start with loving yourself xoxo

Chocolate Orange Mousse Cups Recipe
{gluten, dairy, egg, soy, and nut-free}

1 1/2 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips
2 cans of full-fat coconut milk
1 organic orange zested (1 TB) and squeezed (1/3 cup of juice)
1/4-1/3 cup of maple syrup
pinch of sea salt
drizzle of pure vanilla
1/4 cup of cocoa powder

In a sauce pan, melt all of the above ingredients until melted and smooth and whisked all together. You MUST make sure not to get too hot or to burn, so heat must be on low to melt the chocolate and coconut milk but when that happens, turn off the heat and whisk more together. 

In a small bowl whisk the following:

1 TB of pure plain gelatin (I use Great Lakes brand)
1/2 cup of coconut milk beverage or water works too

Then quickly pour into your blender or Vitamix and let it bloom and set at the bottom of the blender until you pour in the warmed melted chocolate mixture. Then slowly blend on low and work your way up too a high blend while the mixture is getting creamed and frothy. Then pour the mixture into little quarter-pint jars or little cups or dishes for serving. Let them stiffen in the fridge for 4 hours or over night. You can make a few days ahead of time and make them ready to serve as well. I serve up with some fresh fruit or some raspberries that have been crushed and combined with a little fresh orange or lime juice. I hope you LOVE and ENJOY! xoxo