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Yogurt Mousse with Honey and Fresh Figs

August 19, 2012 by Faith 23 Comments

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Yogurt Mousse with Honey and Fresh Figs

A while ago a friend of mine was sweet enough to send me a copy of a book he thought I’d enjoy, called Mourad: New Morocan by Mourad Lahlou. My friend knows me well because I swooned over this book the instant I opened it.

Image Source: Workman

Mourad’s voice is very real. You can tell he’s one of those people who cook from the heart, without over-thinking or over-complicating things. His book includes a good amount of classic Moroccan favorites (like Basteeya, Merguez, and Couscous), but even his take on classic dishes is somehow reinvented, making everything feel fresh and relevant to the way people want to eat today. And I was so impressed by his trend-setting new recipes inspired by Moroccan cuisine, like Date Leather and Fig Leaf Ice Cream.

Just as much as the recipes, I loved the writing in this book. Explanations are spot-on, recipes are easy to follow, and the stories and anecdotes about life and travel had me not wanting to put this book down. In particular, I was captivated reading Mourad’s introduction to the chapter “Rite of Spring”, his chapter on meats. It hit a personal note with me.

Mourad describes the first time he slaughtered a lamb, in the most eloquent of detail. In Morocco (and other Islamic societies), an animal must be slaughtered in the most humane way possible. He talks about how the day started like any other holiday – sun shining and big family breakfast. The whole family (about 30 people) gathered in the courtyard to witness the ritual, and as it came time, the air became thick and still and Mourad’s grandfather said a prayer of thanks for the animal and the sacrifice it was about to make. Mourad goes on to say that this ritual might seem barbaric; he says “But I’m telling you that it’s the opposite, not simply because the slaughter is done in a humane way, but because the act of witnessing it is a reminder that we can never take a life for granted. When you’ve seen an animal give its life for you, you don’t take it lightly. You cook it with care. You eat it with respect. And perhaps the greater barbarism is never coming face to face with that, and pretending that meat comes from a market, not an animal.”

Yogurt Mousse with Honey and Fresh Figs 2

A couple months ago, my husband Mike (who is a great lover of lamb) took me to a halal butcher to watch a lamb being slaughtered. I really didn’t want to go at first, but I think it’s important to understand where our food comes from, and honestly, I think this is something everyone who eats meat should see at least once. Even so, it isn’t something that is easy to watch and I couldn’t help but silently weep, tears streaming down my face. It is incredibly humbling to watch an animal give its life so you can sustain yours. Anyway, Mourad’s story was just one of the many reasons I fell in love with this book.

The first recipe from the book I tried was Yogurt Mousse, which was lovely. It was similar to Panna Cotta, but a bit lighter and more airy, and with a more complex flavor because of the yogurt. I topped it with fresh figs and raw, local honey and it was the perfect treat to celebrate the Eid.

Eid Mubarak! Wishing everyone a joyous, blessed holiday.

Yogurt Mousse with Honey and Fresh Figs 3

Print
Yogurt Mousse with Honey and Fresh Figs
Prep time:  8 mins
Cook time:  2 mins
Total time:  10 mins
Yield: 2 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 3½ tablespoons cold water, divided
  • ½ teaspoon powdered gelatin
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ½ cup (115 g) Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 fresh ripe figs, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon raw, local honey
Instructions
  1. Put ½ tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top; gently swirl the bowl to help the gelatin dissolve. Once solid, remove the gelatin and break it into 2 pieces; put them in a small bowl. Bring the remaining 3 tablespoons of water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour the hot water onto the gelatin and gently whisk with a fork to dissolve. Cool for 5 minutes.
  2. While the gelatin mixture cools, put the heavy cream in a medium bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat it until it’s thickened, but doesn’t yet hold a shape. Transfer to the fridge.
  3. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat together the gelatin mixture, yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl until the mixture is very thick and you can see the trail of the beaters as it whips.
  4. Adding half at a time, gently fold the whipped cream into the yogurt mixture.
  5. Pour the mousse into 2 individual serving bowls and refrigerate until set, about 2 to 4 hours (or overnight).
  6. Right before serving, top with figs and honey.
Notes
Recipe adapted slightly from Mourad Lahlou’s recipe for Yogurt Mousse in Mourad: New Moroccan; Artisan, 2011.
3.5.3251

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Recipes Tagged: Book Reviews, Desserts, Fresh Figs, Honey, Mourad Lahlou, Mourad: New Moroccan, Mousse, Sweets, Yogurt

Comments

  1. Rosa says

    August 19, 2012 at 5:35 am

    A delicious dessert! So fresh and refined.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  2. Krista says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:03 am

    Oh Faith, I do understand your grief at witnessing the butchering. It was so hard for me the first time I butchered chickens and goats here on our farm, but now I feel exactly like this inspiring man. Grateful. Aware. Respectful. Your mousse dish is so beautiful. :-)

    Reply
  3. Erica says

    August 19, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    oh my gosh…I couldn’t watch an animal be killed. I totally understand your thoughts…I just don’t think I could do it! What a fantastic recipe. Sounds just delicious. Laz is totally creative

    Reply
  4. Vita @ Juicer Depot says

    August 19, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    I love fresh figs and love your pictures. Watching an animal get killed and then put on the table is rough. I witnessed a chicken get killed when I was little and when it was time to eat dinner every bite was so hard to do. You are right about respecting the food we eat.

    Reply
  5. Veronica says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    That was very sweet of Laz! I checked that one out from the library a while back and remember I really wanted to try that meat pie that had the sugar on top. It’s so intriguing! Alas, I never got around to it. Have you ever made anything like that? I love your yogurt mousse and I’m having fresh fig envy. Never had a fresh fig! Some day.

    Reply
  6. Vicki Bensinger says

    August 19, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I was just reading excerpts from this book today. It looks wonderful with unique recipes. This one looks simple, elegant and delicious.

    Reply
  7. Valynn @ Vanillyn says

    August 19, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Wow I am captivated by the photos! Looks so delicious. Yogurt, raw honey and fresh figs… I just feel like eating it now but it’s not easy to get fresh figs from my area. Waiting (fingers-tapping)…

    Reply
  8. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    August 19, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    Wow Faith, what an intense experience. I bet if more of us where witness to this great sacrifice, we would be much more rigorous when selecting where our animal proteins come from. Off to check out Lazaro Cooks. Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Gabriela {What Liberty Ate} says

    August 20, 2012 at 1:30 am

    What lovely photographs! So lush and incredible appetizing! Definitively, I should try this dessert! xoxo

    Reply
  10. Sanjeeta kk says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:04 am

    He..he…indeed, great minds do think alike..love your Mousse version…pinned it!

    Reply
  11. Jeanette says

    August 20, 2012 at 7:43 am

    I don’t think I’m brave enough to watch an animal sacrifice its life. What a pretty dessert! Love the combination of creamy mousse and juicy figs.

    Reply
  12. Hannah says

    August 20, 2012 at 8:36 am

    The simplicity of this dish is absolutely stunning… You’ve really elevated a few simple ingredients into something truly memorable. Your photos of course are what sell it. The clarity you captured in the fine details is out of this world!

    Reply
  13. Joanne says

    August 20, 2012 at 8:50 am

    That cookbook is actually on my WANT list! (BUt I WANNNNTTT yours more). This mousse sounds divine!!

    Reply
  14. Laz says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    Faith,

    Just got back from a holiday and your post kept the big smile on my face going. You are truly one of the sweetest and sincere people I have met through blogging.

    So glad we are friends. Thank you for the kind words. Gorgeous post. Happy you enjoyed the book.

    Be well

    Reply
  15. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    August 21, 2012 at 6:31 am

    A wonderful dessert for Eid Faith! And I can imagine it would have been so confronting to see the lamb being killed although I think you’re right, you need to know that this happens in order to get food to people.

    Reply
  16. Daisy@Nevertoosweet says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:39 am

    ohhh yup this looks lovely :) it’s kind of healthy too with the use of Greek yoghurt instead of cream hehe ~ i’m a newbie to figs but love their sweetness ~

    Reply
  17. Nutmeg Nanny says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:11 am

    This looks amazing! Those fresh figs are CALLING my name!

    Reply
  18. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Really interesting book and author. Wow you went to a slaughter. What an experience, even if hard. I prefer concentrating on this mousse and figs.

    Reply
  19. Julia {The Roasted Root} says

    August 21, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    This recipe looks sweet, creamy and tasty! It would definitely satisfy my sweet tooth and I would enjoy having such a pretty dessert in front of me. Your figs are gorgeous and I’m definitely going to get ahold of mourad’s cookbook at your recommendation! :)

    Reply
  20. Dana says

    September 2, 2012 at 11:18 pm

    This looks so delicious! I love recipes like this that honor the fresh ingredients they are comprised of!

    Reply
  21. Allison (Spontaneous Tomato) says

    September 5, 2012 at 10:04 am

    This dish looks gorgeous, and with such a simple and stylish presentation! I just stumbled upon your blog, and I’m so happy I did!

    Reply
  22. kellie@foodtoglow says

    September 10, 2012 at 11:57 am

    I am very late in commenting here, but I just want to tell you how beautiful this post is. Like others have said, it was very brave of you to witness the slaughter of the lamb, and oh so powerful. You will never forget that experience. And, no matter how thoughtful one is – in the broadest sense of the word – it can only make you a better person. The Yogurt Mousse – and the cookbook and your friend – sound amazing. Must look out the book on amazon. I hope veg gelatin is okay.

    Reply
  23. emiglia says

    September 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Oh. My. God. This is gorgeous. And looks incredible. Wow.

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Faith and I write An Edible Mosaic. This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. I focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home. Welcome to my mosaic of recipes.

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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