Chocolate Espresso Nut Torte Food

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO-NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line the bottom of a greased 9-in springform pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and dust with cocoa. Set aside., Place hazelnuts and brown sugar in a food processor; cover and process until ground. In a second large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 egg yolk at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate, espresso powder, extract and salt. Gradually add hazelnut mixture., In the first large bowl, with clean beaters beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Spread into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove sides of pan and invert onto a serving plate., Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 30 minutes., Spread ganache over top and sides of cake; press almonds onto sides. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter an 8-inch cake pan (I used a springform pan) and line bottom with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and lightly flour (or use cocoa) the pan, shaking out excess.
• In a small, heavy-based saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring frequently. Set aside.
• Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the eggs, sugar, brewed espresso, ground espresso beans, and salt on medium-high speed until thick and voluminous, at least 8 minutes (I mixed about 10 minutes). Turn the mixer to low and mix in the chocolate-butter mixture. Turn off mixer and sift the flour over the batter and fold until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Set a plate over the torte and carefully invert the torte onto the plate; peel off the parchment. Flip the torte back onto the rack to cool completely before slicing. (Since I used a springform pan, I let it cool completely in the pan.).

TWO-NUTS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Line the bottom of an 8 to 10-inch tin with a piece of greaseproof paper. Butter the bottom and sides then dust with flour. Place the nuts into a food processor and whizz up until finely ground. Then add the chocolate and cocoa and whiz for 30 seconds to break up the chocolate. Remove to a bowl and set aside. Add the butter and sugar to the food processor and beat until pale and fluffy. At this point add the egg yolks 1 at a time them mix together with the chocolate and nuts.
• In another bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate, butter and nut mix. Pour all the mixture into the tin. Bake in a preheated oven about 1 hour. To test if the torte is cooked, insert a cocktail stick or the tip of a knife for 5 seconds; when removed it should be reasonably clean. Serve with whipped cream, ice-cream or creme fraiche.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO-NUT TORTE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line the bottom of a greased 9-in springform pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and dust with cocoa. Set aside., Place hazelnuts and brown sugar in a food processor; cover and process until ground. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate, espresso powder, extract and salt. Gradually add hazelnut mixture., In a large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Spread into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove sides of pan and invert onto a serving plate., Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 30 minutes., Spread ganache over top and sides of cake; press almonds onto sides. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Grease 9" springform pan.
• Place wax paper on bottom of pan, grease and flour; set aside.
• Place butter, sugar and espresso in a double boiler and heat until sugar dissolves.
• Pour hot liquid over chocolate and stir until dissolved; set aside.
• Beat eggs and yolks until frothy; add to the chocolate mixture and pour into pan Bake for 1 hour; edges should crack slightly.
• Remove from oven and cool; cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours (when you remove it from the oven, it won't look done- it isn't!).
• Remove from pan and sprinkle with icing sugar.
• Garnish with strawberries and a a mint leaf if desired.