Who doesn’t love a holiday where the primary food groups are salsa and margaritas?
Nothing screams Cinco de Mayo more than lime. Or key lime. So I’m doing it up today with this mousse! As it turns out, key lime isn’t just about pie.
This past week has been all about prepping kids for the upcoming AP tests. If you have a teenager in an AP class, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t, then you clearly don’t care. And that’s fine! I didn’t care either, once upon a time.
When I was in high school, I made a choice to put aside overachievement in favor of socializing. You see, I come from a family of academic, high-achieving people, and they are a pretty intellectual bunch. Growing up, I thought I was stupid because I didn’t fit into that construct. It took years for me to understand that I was smart in a different way.
It’s hard to outgrow your childhood, that’s for sure. We all get slotted into roles fairly early in life: the geek, the emotional one, the sweet one. Do we ever stop being those people, deep down? I doubt it.
These roles are often assigned accidentally, but that almost makes it worse. Two kids can’t be the smartest, after all. So one of them inevitably becomes the one who is good with people, or the one who plays a better game of basketball. And unless you’re a very determined or confident person, there you stay, in that role.
I don’t have any answers. As hard as I try not to fit my own kids into roles, I can’t stop certain natural processes. I can only control what I do with dessert. You see, key lime is accustomed to being put into pie. That is key lime’s designated function. And I’ve turned it into mousse!
In case you didn’t hear about my raw egg aversion in this cappuccino mousse post, I make it a point not to make my mousse with egg. Instead, I whip heavy cream into stiff peaks, fold in my flavors, and call it a day. You could use Cool Whip, but the heavy cream tastes a little better. Or a lot, depending on your taste discernment.
This Cinco de Mayo, change up the book a little bit. Don’t be afraid to try a dessert you’ve only known in another role. And don’t be averse to embracing an identity you didn’t grow up with. We can’t stay the people we were as children, for better or worse. So let’s embrace the people we’ve become!
Ingredients
Instructions
How do you fondue?
If you don’t, then there’s a big hole in your life. You know, that void where you have never experienced the joy of dipping food into melty cheese or chocolate. Be sad if you haven’t been there.
But feel free to change your ways, and now! I’m attaching a warning to this recipe: you will eat it and not be able to stop. Be ready. Come with an empty stomach!
I never used to think about when I ate. Until I had children.
Turns out, kids like to eat on a schedule. A predictable one. They like to know that they’ll eat, I guess. Constantly. And as a result, I now always contemplate my next snack or meal as well. I think I used to spend that spare energy napping.
But seeing as how I haven’t napped since 2008, I spend a lot of time preparing meals and snacks for my brood. You’d think that I’d be eating a lot more as a result, but I kind of lose my appetite after I’m done fetching milk and napkins and yogurt squeezies and more napkins to wipe up the spilled milk and then more milk because, you know, it spilled.
I’ve realized something about pesky gluten.
You notice it’s not there when the flavor in something isn’t strong enough. Like in a yellow cake, it’s pretty easy to detect an absence of gluten. But in a peanut butter-based dessert or anything with chocolate, it’s much harder. Which is why I’m pretty decent at gluten-free baking. Nobody ever accused me of ignoring peanut butter or chocolate!
What a great idea to make key lime mousse, Mir! I love your creativity with honoring Cinco de Mayo! I’m also loving the white chocolate in here, too. Sounds absolutely perfect!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Strawberry Mango Moscato Slush
Thanks, Gayle! Key lime should go into a lot more than pie!
I love this post, Mir. As the youngest child, I always was in my sister’s shadow. She did it all: captain of the volleyball team, tons of AP classes, and leadership roles in NHS and the FFA. Although I did play volleyball for two years, I gave it up to volunteer at a nature center and build bird boxes at the park. I took a few AP classes, but didn’t study as hard as some of my peers. I stayed in state to go to college. It was hard to find myself, but I think I was able to discover my voice and be true to myself. This key lime mousse speaks for itself. I want it all. This is the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I’ll be at a wedding that night, but I might have to make these this weekend.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Petite Crustless Greek Quiches
It’s a very slippery slope to imitate older siblings, because we’re all different people and need to celebrate that! As a teacher, I get frustrated when I see kids in one family all being encouraged to do the same things. It makes me mad!
Oooh, a wedding is a fun way to celebrate, Erin! You can try this another time. 😉
Mir, yeah, I think you are right. Who we are is kind of in our genes from the beginning. . and ha! my brother and sister were brainiacs and always did great in school. . I was always middle of the road as far as academics were concerned. . took some time for me (and my parents) to accept it but we did. And I was that shy, awkward, geeky, chubby kid in school. . As I’ve grown older and more comfortable in my skin, I’m more out-going. . it’s a process. . 🙂 ok, I love what you are suggesting for Cinco de Mayo!! Change it up! LOVE this key lime mousse!!! brilliant!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Strawberry Cupcakes for #CookForTheCure
We all had awkward beginnings. Or the best of us did, right? I think having a harder time earlier helps strengthen you for adulthood. I was definitely awkward, Alice! Thanks!
Well, this sounds just about perfect. I wouldn’t mind a vat of this mousse!
CakeSpy recently posted…If the World Was Made of Pop-Tarts
Oooh, a vat sounds good. Or maybe a small swimming pool!
You are so creative Mir! Love key lime and this mousse sounds fantastic! Totally agree with everything else said! Yes, people can not be the same!
mira recently posted…Buffalo (Bison) Sliders
Thanks, Mira! No, they can’t. I can’t be Juliette Binoche in the movie Chocolat. I wish!
delicious! loving the flavors here and you know how much I love you for not using eggs in mousse! 😀 I simply can’t either!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Palmiers
I know you can’t, Manali! We are in perfect agreement there!
This looks so so heavenly and I love the cute presentation in the margarita glasses! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Green Goddess Quinoa Salad {Vegan + Wheat-Free!
Thanks, Medha! I tried…
I love key lime pie, but I have never tried key lime chocolate mousse. After reading your recipe, it sounds like something I have to try! 🙂
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy recently posted…Comment on Salmon with Mango Salsa by Delicious Meets Healthy
Thanks, Neli! I love doing twists on dessert, especially if key lime is involved!
This mousse needs to happen ASAP Mir. Love the key lime twist you put on it and you’re right – so perfect for Cinco de Mayo!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Pina Colada Banana Bread
Thanks, Trish! I love Cinco de Mayo. All the best food appears that day!
Love that you served this in a margarita glass. So fun!
Erin@WellPlated recently posted…10 Minute Tostadas
Everything should be served in a margarita glass, Erin!
Why couldn’t you have been my honors english teacher? I was in honors for one year and I dropped out because he made me feel so stupid. I never got to experience an AP test…but hearing the name still scares me. This mousse…OMG!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Chocolate Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread (2 ingredients)
That is such a shame, Dorothy! And you’re such a good writer, too. You would have been a great AP student. 🙂 Thanks!
Yeah, I can’t use raw eggs in food either. It’s just not possible. This mousse looks amazing, love the key lime flavour!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Banana Bread Bear Paws
Thanks, Stacey! Much better without possible foodborne illness, no?
My husband, who loves key lime pie in ANY form, is about to be SO HAPPY! It’s his birthday this weekend so this is the best timing ever. Thanks Mir! 🙂
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Pears in Vanilla Cream Sauce
Oh, I hope he likes it, Kate! Let me know if you make it, and how it went!
I personally think the moose is a great alternative than having the pie. It’s like a lighter, summertime version of the pie – delicious! Can’t wait to try it, great recipe Mir!
Heather – Butter & Burlap recently posted…Vanilla Almond Granola
Yep, no crust. I’m a fan of lighter when the weather warms up, Heather!
I agree! Lime is essential and now I am in love with this mousse!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) recently posted…Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes
I can’t stop with lime once it gets warm. It’s my favorite citrus. Thanks, Jocelyn!
Oh, I could totally down a few of these little mousse parfaits today! Awesome flavor combo!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…Blueberry Cream Coffee Cake
Thanks, Jocelyn! Never can go wrong with key lime.