How to Make Lemon Mousse from the Amalfi Coast

I fell in love with the Amalfi Coast on a week long holiday (although it really only took one day …) and my husband is a tour guide for the Campania region. This means tours and holiday experiences are both close to my heart and a part of my life. I’m always on the lookout for the best ways to explore and discover the Amalfi Coast, and that’s how I met the amazing team at Flavours Holidays. They offer unique cooking, painting, Italian language and Pliates holidays in some of Italy’s most picturesque spots. Including, of course, the Amalfi Coast! The team from Flavours have shared what they love most about the culinary traditions of the Amalfi Coast, along with a recipe for a lovely Lemon Mousse!

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This beautiful southern coastal region offers fresh seafood, Mediterranean fruits and vegetables that result in light and refreshing meals and treats. Think Amalfi and you should think sunshine, stunning vistas and great healthy summer food. It is thought this delicious Mediterranean diet could be helpful to a long, healthy life as oily fish and fresh produce provide daily nutrients. Residents with the longest lifespans have been identified to live in coastal regions – including Italy’s own island of Sardinia. We think those great benefits can be soaked up on the Amalfi Coast too! Here are the local foods you won’t want to miss during your Amalfi Coast holiday:

 

Delicious Seafood

While in the area, be sure to sample lots of seafood and fresh lemon dishes! The region is home to some of the world’s best and most varied seafood. Octopus, molluscs, prawns, sea bream, redfish and more are always served up fresh and with an unbelievable view. Our personal favourite, taught on a Flavours cooking holiday, is a Fish Ravioli. It can be made using your choice of fish or catch of the day and pairs well with a simple sauce with a bit of a kick. Whiskey, butter and cream are combined to create interesting warm flavours.

 

Traditional Pasta

As with many regions of Italy, Amalfi offers its very own pasta cut. The local pasta of Maiori is Ndunderi. This pasta has been listed by UNESCO as one of the oldest types  – dating back to the ancient Romans and continues its popularity today. The dumpling shapes make great hearty meals and prove very easy to make for those willing to get hands on in the kitchen. This pasta pairs wonderfully with simple pesto dishes or even just butter and fresh herbs.

 

Desserts

A rare and unusual regional speciality perhaps worth seeking out is the chocolate aubergine. Yes, you read that right! You may not be convinced that aubergines are a dessert food, but many have changed their mind after experiencing this local delight. Either served cold or warm, layers of aubergine are combined with a dark chocolate sauce, liqueur and pine nuts to create an interesting taste infusion!

A more traditional dessert from the Amalfi Coast is simple lemon mousse. Another firm favourite on a Flavours cooking holiday, it is perfect for cooling down on a warm summer day. The recipe is easily recreated in your own kitchen, so there is no excuse not to give it a go!

 

Traditional Lemon Mousse Recipe from the Amalfi Coast

Ingredients

• 4 gelatine leaves
• 600ml whipped cream
• 3 yolks
• 150g sugar
• 250ml milk
• Zest and juice of 3 lemons from the Amalfi Coast
• 1 vanilla powder

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 5 minutes & 1 hr cooling time.

Serves: 6

1. Start the lemon mousse with grating the peel of 3 lemons. Juice afterwards. In the meanwhile, soak 4 sheets of gelatine in a bowl of room temperature water.

2. Mix the egg yolk with the sugar and whisk until thick and fluffy. Add some milk and the vanilla. Continue stirring the mixture to avoid lumps.

3. Put mix in a pot and heat slowly. Continue stirring to avoid boiling.

4. When the mix has thickened check if ready by testing if cream sticks to the spoon. When done, turn off the heat and add the soaked gelatine sheets to the pot.

5. Stir again until gelatine dissolves in the mixture. Let cool. Whisk 500 ml fresh cream with electric mixer.

6. When mixture has cooled down, add the lemon peel, juice and whipped cream.

7. Amalgamate it well with a ladle. Use upwards, constant movements so that the compound doesn’t deflate and lose volume.

8. Store the remainder of the whipped cream (100 ml) in the fridge. It’ll be used to decorate the mousse before serving.

9. Let the mix solidify in the freezer for at least one hour.

10. Serve the mousse. Decorate the dish with a bit of whipped cream, lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

 

About Flavours 

Flavours have provided activity holidays to Italy since 1998. Destinations and activity options have expanded since the company first offered cookery holidays, now sending guests on painting, Pilates, cooking and Italian language holidays to five regions of Italy – including the Amalfi Coast.  Guests enjoy en-suite accommodation in private villas during week-long breaks. Prices include all meals and wine with dinner, week long tuition in the chosen activity, airport transfers and day trips to local towns and wineries. All week long breaks are priced at £1599, with £100 included towards the cost of flights. Flavours never charge a single traveller supplement.