The Up Side of Chocolate, Or When What You Eat Affects How You Feel

It's always nice to wake up happy, although at 4 a.m. Sunday morning I couldn't figure out what was going on. It was only as I lay in bed, not able to sleep but not fretting about anything, that I realized what the problem was: chocolate mousse.

The gang was over for Sophie's birthday on Saturday night, and dessert was chocolate mousse which we finished eating about 11 p.m. The chocolate high didn't kick in right away, but by the early hours of the morning it certainly had. I was reminded of Lukas's first experience with chocolate cake at a year and a half: he woke up about 1:30 a.m. and sang to himself in his bed for half an hour.

I didn't sing, exactly, but about 5 a.m. I cheerfully went down stairs to do the dishes. The cheerful, sleepless mood continued until the middle of the afternoon when suddenly I collapsed. No matter: it was a lovely dinner.

Here's the recipe, in case you're interested.

Make a crème anglaise by melting with 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan, and wisking in 2 tablespoons of flour. Add 1 cup of rich milk or cream, and stir until smooth and thick, about three or four minutes. Add 1/3 cup sugar.

Beat 5 egg whites until they form peaks

Then grind two cups of chocolate chips in a blender. Put in top of double boiler over hot water and add 1/3 cup of hot water, and 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook until melted, then beat in five egg yolks, stirring until thick and smooth.

Quickly stir crème anglaise into chocolate mixture. Then fold carefully into egg whites. Pour into small cups or wine glasses. Makes 6 to 8, depending on size of cup or glass.

Wake up happy.