This sophisticated mousse looks haute but isn’t hard to make. Chef Richard Kaplan of Houston capitalizes on the distinctive flavors of fresh fall pears and creamy white chocolate with a dash of rum. In his training, he learned what to do when your chef walks out on a busy night, and here he shows that simple ingredients can yield elegant results.

Acute Catering, 2711 Kipling, Houston 713-528-1133.

Pear and White Chocolate Mousse Recipe