FROZEN CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Mousse: Line an 8 1/2" X 4 1/2" loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a generous overhang on all sides; smooth plastic to avoid lines in finished mousse.
• Place 1 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over and let sit 5 minutes.
• Using electric mixer on high speed, beat egg yolks and salt in a large bowl until pale yellow and frothy, about 4 minutes.
• Fit a small saucepan with candy thermometer and bring corn syrup, sugar, and 1/4 cup water to a boil. Cook until thermometer registers 238 degrees. Remove from heat and add gelatin, stirring to dissolve with mixer on medium-low, drizzle syrup into egg mixture. Mix in chocolate.
• Using electric mixer with clean beaters, beat cream in a medium bowl to soft peaks. Mix one-third whipped cream into egg mixture. Fold in pistachios, then remaining whipped cream. Scrape mousse into prepared pan; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Freeze until solid, at least 5 hours.
• Sour Cherry Sauce: Combine cherries and 2 cups very hot water in a small bowl; let sit 10 minutes to soften.
• Meanwhile, bring cherry juice, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat. Drain cherries and add to saucepan; simmer until sugar is dissolved and mixture is slightly thickened, 8-12 minutes. Let cool. Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Topping and Assembly: Combine cream, sour cream, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Scrape seed from vanilla bean; discard pod. Beat to soft peaks.
• Let mousse thaw 5-10 minutes, then unmold, unwrap, and slice with a hot knife. Serve with cherry sauce and topping. Place mousse slice ON TOP of Cherry Sauce on dessert plate and topping on the side the mousse.
• Slice mousse into portions and freeze on a parchment-lined baking sheet the day of the party to make serving easy.