Key Lime Mousse

I've been thinking about desserts for Memorial Day.  I could come up with the standard red, white, and blue desserts that are present at every picnic from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and I will probably do that this summer, but today I'm thinking green.  Limes.  Limes mean summer to me.  They are fresh, juicy, tangy and tart.  Their citrus essence, sweetened and cooled with whipping cream and the nuttiness of graham crackers, is (for me) irresistible.  But I love lime-flavored anything, most especially key lime pie.  This mousse recipe,  from recipezaar.com, is a nice take on that famous dessert, but in an easy, less-structured, easy-to-serve form.


KEY LIME MOUSSE

    * 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
    * 3/4 cup key lime juice or lime juice
    * 1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest
    * 1 1/2 cups sugar
    * 2 cups whipping cream
    * 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
    * 1/2 cup warm water
    * 1 lime
    * 6 eggs
    * 1/4 teaspoon salt
    * 12 honey graham crackers, finely crushed
    * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• In a mixing bowl, soak the gelatin in warm water until it softens and dissolves, stirring occasionally. Gradually stir the lime juice and zest into the gelatin and set mixture aside.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and salt at high speed until thick and foamy, 7-10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and beat in key lime mixture.
• Cover bowl and refrigerate until mixture begins to set but is still liquidy- approx 1 hour.
• Whip 1 cup of whipping cream until it forms soft peaks and fold into key lime mixture.
• Pour half the key lime mixture into a large bowl and sprinkle a layer of crushed graham cracker crumbs on top, reserving 3 tablespoons. Fill bowl with remaining key lime mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Before serving, whip remaining cream with confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Pipe or spoon cream on mousse and sprinkle remaining graham cracker crumbs on top.

Garnish with sliced limes.


Recipe source: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Key-Lime-Mousse-158038
Photo credit: http://bobzuck.com/KeyLime.jpg