As a birthday treat for a friend, I decided to make him chocolate mousse with an orangey twist.

It’s a fairly classic recipe; dark chocolate melted over simmering water with a knob of butter. As it cools I stir in three egg yolks, the rind of an orange plus orange juice.

Meanwhile over in the blender I whisk up the egg whites with icing sugar until light and glossy. The whipped egg whites are going to trap thousands of lovely air bubbles that make the velvet finish. Then the chocolate mix is folded in a bit at a time until stirred through. The whole lot is dribbled into pots and left in the fridge overnight to set into a dark, sweet, moreish dessert.

chocolate orange mousse:

150g dark chocolate (lots of cocoa solids please!), broken

knob of butter

1 orange

3 eggs, separated

100g icing sugar

1. Melt dark chocolate in a bowl over simmering water with butter and two teaspoons of juice from the orange.
2. When the chocolate has cooled, mix in 2 egg yolks.
3. Meanwhile whisk the egg whites with icing sugar until glossy and soft peaks form.
4. Fold the chocolate into the egg whites a spoonful at a time until incorporated.
5. Pour into ramekins and set overnight in the fridge, or for at least 4 hours.