I'm back - which meant returning to a huge backlog of emails, a stack of things to send out, and a cat very much in need of cuddles (even though her catsitters surely petted her and played with her). We had a wonderful time - and if the year 2016 continues as nicely as it started, it will be beyond awesome!

Speaking of starting the year - last year, we started a new tradition, which pleases me no end. It's traditional in Germany to clink glasses at midnight - usually with some sort of sparkly wine or champagne. Since I don't drink alcohol (I don't like the taste of it), I've always used something else. From juice to sparkling water to weird carbonated wellness drinks to non-alcoholic champagne, I've tried it all, but somehow, somehow it always falls short. (The non-alco champagne was nicest for the festive feeling, but I don't like the taste enough to finish half a bottle or more, and so wasting most of the bottle always rued me.)

Last year, though, I finally had an idea which was pleasing to all in our group: We had mousse au chocolate with the champagne, so I could clink my chocolatey glass with the champagne glasses, feeling appropriately festive. We did repeat it this year, and I think it was the first time in my life I've had the same stuff as everybody else for this celebratory moment. Plus, a year that starts with chocolate mousse... it just has to be a good one, right?

In case you're interested, the mousse I made this year consisted of 200 g good, dark chocolate and five eggs. Melt the chocolate, gently, on low heat; separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites until very stiff. Beat the egg yolks, adding a little hot water (I added about 100 ml); this will increase their volume a lot.

Now mix the almost cool (but still liquid) chocolate into the egg yolks; best is probably to do it slowly, spoon-wise. Fold the egg whites and the chocolate-yolk mix together, then pour into glasses and let it sit in a cool place for a while. (My mix was just the right amount for seven smallish drink glasses.)