Chestnut mousse

Total time: 20 minutes, plus chilling timeServings: 4

1 cup chestnut purée, firmly packed

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or Amaretto

1 large egg white

1/2 cup sugar

Shaved chocolate or whipped cream for garnish

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the chestnut purée, butter, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons water with a hand mixer until smooth. Set aside.

2. Set a saucepan of water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Place the egg white in a deep metal bowl that fits over the saucepan without touching the water. Before setting the bowl over the simmering water, beat the egg white with a hand mixer on medium speed just until foamy, about 1 minute. Set the bowl over the simmering water, continuing to beat with the hand mixer (you don’t want to let the egg white cook); reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly add the sugar and beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 6 minutes.

3. Immediately fold the meringue into the chestnut purée mixture. Chill for an hour, and up to 3 hours.

4. Spoon the mousse into a pastry tube fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the mousse into glasses or bowls. Garnish with shaved chocolate or whipped cream.

Each serving: 356 calories; 3 grams protein; 38 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 22 grams fat; 14 grams saturated fat; 60 mg. cholesterol; 17 mg. sodium.