Chocolate Brandy Tart Food

CHOCOLATE TART

Steps:

• To make the pastry: combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the middle of the pastry. Combine the egg yolk with the ice water in a small bowl, whisking to blend; pour it into the well and work it in to bind the dough until it holds together without being too wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together, if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully roll the dough up onto the pin (this may take a little practice) and lay it inside a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan so it fits tightly; press the edges into the sides of the pan. It is important to press the dough evenly into every nook and corner of the ring, especially the scalloped edges. Shave off the excess hanging dough with a knife. Put the tart in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to relax.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the tart pan on a sturdy cookie sheet so it will be easy to move in and out of the oven. Line the tart with aluminum foil and add pie weights or dried beans to keep the sides of the tart from buckling. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and weights. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the crust with a beaten egg white. Return to the oven and continue to bake for another 8 minutes until the tart is golden in color, but not brown. Remember the tart will be cooked again with the filling. It should be cooked but light in color so that it will not burn on the second bake. Set aside to cool and lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• To make the filling: Heat the heavy cream and milk in a pot over medium-low flame, until it simmers slightly around the edges. Remove from the heat; add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smoothed out. Add the sugar and salt and whisk until well incorporated. Beat the eggs in a small bowl until blended and add them to the chocolate mixture, stir until completely blended. Pour the filling into the cooled tart shell and bake at 325 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until the filling is set and the surface is glossy. If you see any bubbles or cracks forming on the surface, take the tart out right away - that means it is beginning to become over baked. Cool before cutting.

CHOCOLATE BRANDY TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs with 2 tbsp sugar and butter in a bowl.
• Press the crumb mixtures evenly into a 9 inch tart pan, covering bottom and sides. Bake 10 minutes. Cool.
• Place the water in the top of a double boiler set over hot water. Sprinkle in gelatin or agar and let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Add half the sugar and egg yolks. Whisk continually over a low heat until the gelatin dissolves and the mixture thickens. Do not boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the brandy.
• Set the pan in ice water and stir until it cools and thickens. It should not set completely.
• With an electric mixer, beat the salt and egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Beat in the remaining sugar. Fold large dollops into the yolk mixture.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold into the filling. Spoon into the prebaked crust and chill until set, 3-4 hours. Decorate with chocolate curls immediately before serving.

BRANDY TART

Steps:

• To make the tart: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place dates in a small bowl. Pour in boiling water and add baking soda. Let dates stand for 10 minutes or until soft.
• In large bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat with electric mixer until creamy. Beat in egg.
• Sift in flour, salt and baking powder. Add dates, water and nuts. Mix well.
• Line a lightly sprayed or buttered 9-inch aluminum pie plate with parchment paper. Pour in batter and bake 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out dry.
• To make brandy sauce: Combine sugar with water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and stir frequently until sugar is dissolved (about 5 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla, followed by brandy.
• Before serving, remove from pie plate and allow to cool slightly.
• Cut tart into wedges and top with warm brandy sauce.

CHOCOLATE TART WITH CRèME FRAîCHE & RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• To make the pastry, put the flour and almonds in a bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. You can do this in the food processor. Stir in the sugar. Add the egg yolk and 1 tbsp of cold water and mix to form a firm dough. Knead briefly, then wrap in cling film and chill for 15-20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to fan 170C/ conventional 190C/gas 5. Roll out the dough and use to line a 24cm flan tin. Trim off the excess pastry, then line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake blind for 15 minutes, remove the paper and beans and cook for a further 7-10 minutes until crisp and golden. Leave to cool.
• To make the filling, melt the chocolate in a microwave on Medium for 2 minutes. Put the egg whites and sugar in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk for 5 minutes until thick, white and glossy. Remove from the heat and whisk for a further couple of minutes to cool it.
• Whisk the cream until it just holds its shape. Fold the chocolate and cream into the egg mixture, then add the brandy. Pour into the pastry case and smooth the top. Chill until set for about 20 minutes.
• To serve, whip the remaining cream until just stiff. Put a thin slice of tart on each plate. Spoon some cream on top and scatter with raspberries and blueberries. Dust with icing sugar.