As autumn sets in, it’s an ideal time to savor the flavors of sweet roasted vegetables and earthy greens, complemented by warming desserts. This culinary pairing features a robust squash and cavolo nero salad, accompanied by a decadent dark chocolate mousse, fragrant poached quince, and a crunchy brown-butter crumb topping.
The main course, a Roast Squash and Cavolo Nero Salad with Black Olive Tapenade, is both hearty and flavorful. To prepare, start by preheating your oven to 220C (200C fan)/425F/gas 7. Peel and deseed a medium butternut squash, cutting it into wedges. Toss these with olive oil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper before roasting them for 30–35 minutes until they are golden and tender. Meanwhile, blanch cavolo nero leaves in salted boiling water, then toss them with lemon juice and olive oil. For the tapenade, blend pitted black olives, garlic, capers, parsley, and mix with olive oil and red-wine vinegar. This salad is served by layering the cavolo nero, roasted squash, and tapenade, finished with toasted pumpkin seeds or walnuts.
For a sweet finale, the Dark Chocolate Mousse with Poached Quince and Brown Butter Crumb offers a rich dessert experience. Begin by melting 200g of dark chocolate over a bain-marie. As it cools, whisk egg whites to soft peaks, gradually adding sugar for glossiness, and whip double cream to soft peaks. Mix egg yolks with the cooled chocolate, fold in the cream, then the egg whites. Chill the mixture for at least four hours. Meanwhile, poach quince in a mixture of caramelized honey, apple juice, cider vinegar, and spices until tender. Cube the cooled quince for serving. For the crumb, melt butter until golden brown, mix with milk powder, flour, sugar, and salt to form crumbs, then bake until golden.
To serve, place a spoonful of chilled chocolate mousse on each plate, alongside the diced poached quince. Scatter the brown-butter crumbs over the top, and finish with a dollop of crème fraîche. This dish not only embraces the rich, warming flavors of the season but also provides a delightful contrast in textures and tastes, from the creamy mousse to the crunchy crumb.