This simple French classic has only 4 ingredients and comes together in about 20 minutes. Then just pop into the fridge, and it will be ready to impress at the end of your meal! Silky smooth and decadent, there is a good reason that chocolate mousse is a classic.
I have been in a French cooking frenzy lately, but I am still on the hunt for recipes that are simple and don't involve a lot of fuss. This is exactly the type of recipe that makes me happy: simple ingredients, not too long in the kitchen, and an impressive end result.

The trickiest thing about it is that you need to separate your eggs. Truthfully, it isn't difficult at all, but sometimes I look at a recipe and (lazy person that I am) I feel annoyed to see that as a step. This recipe is so simple that I can excuse a little egg separating. I like to do this step right away, so that my eggs are ready to go.

Chocolate Mousse

• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• whipped cream, optional

This is the classic banana bread recipe that I turn to again and again. In my world, chocolate chips are seen as a necessity in banana bread (and never ever nuts).

I have experimented with swapping out 1/2 cup of all purpose flour for an equal amount of whole wheat flour which worked well. I have also used canola oil instead of butter. It is hard to go wrong with this easy, straight forward recipe. I make it all in one big mixing bowl to minimize clean-up time.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Makes 1 loaf

• 2 to 3 ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips, to your taste

Equipment

• 4 x 8 in loaf pan (Here is a USA-made option.)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. Butter a 4 x 8 in loaf pan.

2. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to mash your bananas until they are almost smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.

3. Add the baking soda and salt and mix until combined. Stir in the sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix until throughly combined. Stir in the flour. Finally, add your chocolate chips with a few final stirs.

4. Pour the batter into your buttered loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pan.

Adapted from Simply Recipes