Recipes by Billy Crystal: Chocolate Mousse; Eggplant Parmesan, Pizza-Style

Billy Crystal's Chocolate Mousse

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 teaspoons sugar
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup instant coffee
1 1/2 tablespoons rum or rum flavoring
2/3 cup heavy cream, chilled
4 egg whites

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Add the sugar to the egg yolks and beat until they become lemon-colored.

Gently (by hand) mix in the melted chocolate, coffee and rum. Whip the cream (which has been thoroughly chilled) until stiff and fold into the chocolate and egg mixture.

Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks and fold them into the above mixture. Mix gently, by hand, then place the mousse into individual glass dessert dishes or goblets. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Serve. Makes four servings.

Billy Crystal's Eggplant Parmesan, Pizza-Style

2 medium eggplants
1/2 cup flour or fine bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
4 tablespoons fine-grade olive oil
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, pressed
2 cans (8 ozs. each) tomato sauce
8 ozs. sliced mozzarella cheese
8 ozs. ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Peel and slice eggplants into 1/2-inch slices. Combine flour or bread crumbs with oregano, basil, 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Mix together egg and water. Dip eggplant slices into egg mixture; coat with seasoned flour or crumbs.

Saute slightly on both sides in 2 tbsps. hot olive oil. Drain on absorbent paper. Add remaining oil to skillet; saute beef, onion and garlic until beef turns light. Add tomato sauce and remaining salt and pepper.

Simmer 5 minutes. Spoon half the sauce mixture into greased baking dish. Arrange layer of eggplant; top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake in preheated 350 degrees F. oven 30 minutes or until golden. Serve hot with tossed green salad and dry red wine. Serves 6.

Thoughts: Crystal's eggplant, pizza-style, is excellent made with 1/2 pound diced sweet Italian sausage. (Cook with beef as directed.) Italian-flavored bread crumbs make a convenient and well-flavored coating.

Any good-tasting canned marinara or spaghetti sauce works well in this hearty, easy-to-prepare dish.