Chocolate-Hazelnut Mousse

Ingredients

• 3  egg yolks 
• 0.3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil 
• 5 ounces unblanched hazelnuts 
• 1.5 cups heavy cream 
• 5 ounces chocolate cut into small pieces
• 0.3 cup water 
• 1 small eggbeater with large bowl, rubber spatula
• 1 small eggbeater with large bowl, rubber spatula

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• whisk
• baking pan

Directions

1. Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the hazelnuts on a small baking tray and bake until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes, turning the tray back to front after 5 or 6 minutes. Cool. Enclose the nuts in a clean towel and rub until as much of the skins as possible come off.
2. Place the nuts and hazelnut oil in the workbowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until a paste forms.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using a whisk or eggbeater, whip the heavy cream. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
4. In a medium heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate. Turn off the heat when almost melted and stir occasionally until completely melted.
5. Scrape into the nut paste and process until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.
6. In a clean medium heatproof bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks.
7. *If hazelnut oil is not available, peanut or safflower oil can be substituted.