Chocolate Espresso Torte With Espresso Crème Anglaise Food

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE WITH ESPRESSO CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and remove the top oven rack. Prepare 6 (8-ounce) coffee cups or ramekins with straight sides (or a 2-quart souffle dish) by greasing with butter and coating with granulated sugar, pour out any excess. The butter and sugar will keep the souffles from sticking to the sides, which will allow them to rise evenly. The sugar will also give the souffle a crunchy crust, which is a great contrast to the soft interior.
• To make the pastry cream base for the souffle: Combine the milk and vanilla bean and seeds in a heavy large pot and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat and discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, and 1/4 cup of sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in about half of the hot milk mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the pastry cream back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is nice and thick, enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Slowly melt the chocolate with the Frangelico in a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the pastry cream; cool to room temperature.
• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites and salt just until they hold soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the chocolate pastry cream to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon the batter into the prepared coffee cups, 2/3 of the way full, and shake them gently to smooth out the top. Place the coffee cups on a cookie sheet and bake on the middle rack for about 20 minutes. The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden and the center is still a bit loose and creamy; take care not to over bake. To serve, have each guest crack open the top of the souffle with a spoon and pour in the Espresso Crème Anglaise. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.
• Pour the heavy cream and vanilla bean and seeds into a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat. Discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, coffee, and espresso powder, until well blended. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in the hot cream mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the custard back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately with Chocolate Souffle. (If not serving immediately, press plastic wrap on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate.)

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO TORTE WITH ESPRESSO CRèME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• For Crme Anglaise
• Set a fine strainer over a medium bowl set over a bowl full of ice.
• Warm the milk, cream and the scraped vanilla bean with the empty pod over medium low heat just too almost a simmer.
• Remove from heat and whisk in espresso powder.
• In a separate bowl whisk sugar and yolks just to combine. Whisk in half of the hot mixture in a thin stream to temper the eggs slowly.
• Pour the rest of the warm milk in and whisk to combine.
• Place the pot over low heat and stir constantly with a spatula.
• Cook until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes or until it can hold a finger line on a spoon.
• Remove from heat and strain. Cool over the ice bath. Stirring occasionally.
• Keep refrigerated. Serve with espresso cake.
• For Espresso Torte
• Preheat oven to 300F (149C)
• Line an 8 inch (20 cm) spring form cake pan with parchment paper. Lightly butter the pan to prevent sticking.
• Chop chocolate into small pieces. Chop butter into the same size pieces as chocolate. Place both chocolate and butter in a large stainless steel bowl.
• Fill a medium sauce pan 1/3 with water. Place over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and place the bowl of chocolate and butter over the simmering water.
• Stir using a spatula until melted and evenly combined.
• Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Place 1 cup (250ml) of hot espresso in a bowl and add the sugar. Stir to dissolve.
• Place all the eggs in a separate bowl.
• Whisk the eggs into the chocolate and add the espresso sugar syrup.
• Place into a parchment lined spring form pan.
• Place into preheated oven.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until firm and set.
• Remove from oven. Cool on a wire rack.
• Place into the refrigerator to cool.
• To cut heat a knife under hot water, wipe and make clean slices. Repeat heating and wiping the knife when necessary.
• Serve with espresso crme anglaise (see recipe) and freshly whipped cream.

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.).

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.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TART: Preheat oven to 225°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and line bottom and sides with parchment paper. Place chopped chocolate in a large bowl or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Heat cream and butter together to just below a simmer. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and let sit 1 minute. Whisk together until smooth. Whisk together eggs, sugar and espresso and pour into chocolate mixture. Blend thoroughly, scraping the bottom of the bowl occasionally. Do not whip on high speed. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until edges are set are centre is still slightly soft.
• Allow to cool at room temperature for an hour. Leaving torte in its pan, refrigerate overnight before cutting.
• To serve, slice torte with a hot, dry knife. Spoon a little Gingered Berry Marmalade (directions follow) on the side. Spoon Crème Fraîche (directions follow) next to marmalade (or on other side of torte) and sprinkle with cinnamon. Yield: 1 10-inch torte. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
• GINGERED BERRY MARMALADE: Crush berries roughly with a fork and combine with orange peel, ginger and lemon juice in a pot. Mix pectin crystals with ½ cup sugar and add to berries. Bring up to a boil, stirring often. Add remaining sugar and return to a boil, and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir for 5 minutes. If foam is evident, add butter and stir. Skim off any excess foam and jar or chill until ready to use. Yield: Approximatley 4 cups.
• CREME FRAICHE: Stir together cream and buttermilk, place in a plastic cup or bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Immerse cup or bowl in hot water, up to the level of the cream and store in a warm place (near oven, radiator) for 24 to 48 hours. You will know when it's ready because you will see the thin-textured whey settled at the bottom. Chill before using, being sure not stir whey (the liquid that settles at the bottom) into crème fraîche (it will thin it out). Yield: 3/4 cup.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Generously butter a cake pan and line with parchment paper.
• Make the ganache by putting all of the chocolate into a small saucepan on medium-heat. Stir in whipped cream and 1/2 tablespoon butter.
• Stir until fully incorporated, about 6-10 minutes.
• Add coffee to ganache. Remove from heat.
• In a separate bowl whip the eggs, sugar, and flour until nearly doubled in size, about 6 minutes.
• Add the ganache to the eggs, whipping at a medium speed. Pour the ganache into the prepared pan.
• Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until the top and edges are set and the toothpick can come out clean.
• Refridgerate for at least 3 hours until properly chilled. Sift the cocoa.

CHOCOLATE-CREAM ESPRESSO TORTE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in processor. Blend until nuts are finely ground. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until dough begins to clump together. Press dough over bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool. Maintain oven temperature.
• For filling and topping:
• Bring 2 cups cream to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add both chocolates; whisk until smooth. Whisk eggs, 2 teaspoons espresso powder and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture (filling will be very thin). Pour over crust (filling will fill pan only halfway). Bake until filling moves only slightly in center when pan is shaken, about 55 minutes. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water in small bowl. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Set bowl in saucepan of simmering water and stir until gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup chilled cream, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon espresso powder in large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually beat in gelatin mixture. Spoon whipped cream over filling; smooth top. Chill until set, about 3 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
• Run knife between torte and pan sides to loosen; remove pan sides. Transfer torte to platter. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired, and serve.

ESPRESSO CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath, and set aside. Combine the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whisk the mixture until it is pale yellow and very thick, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place the milk, cream, and espresso powder in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove pan from heat, and gradually pour half of the milk mixture into the egg-yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return the combined mixtures to the saucepan.
• Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain the creme anglaise through a fine sieve into a small bowl set in the ice bath. Serve chilled.

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.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ESPRESSO CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Instructions for Cake: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Butter the round molds with the unsalted butter and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess cocoa.
• Melt the extra bitter chocolate and the unsalted butter in a double boiler.
• In an electric mixer, beat the eggs, yolks, and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Stir in the chocolate/butter mixture.
• Add all the flour and mix until just incorporated.
• Pipe or carefully spoon the batter into the prepared molds, filling no more than 1/2 full.
• Place the filled molds on a baking sheet.
• Refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes.
• The batter will hold overnight in the refrigerator after it's been put into the molds.
• Bake for 7 to 9 minutes.
• The tops will have cracks, the sides will be set, but the centers will be very soft.
• Instructions for Espresso Creme Anglaise: Whisk the yolks and the sugar together until thickened and pale yellow.
• In a small pot warm the cream just to the boiling point over medium heat.
• While whisking, add some of the hot cream into the egg mixture.
• Pour into the pot with the rest of the cream and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon.
• Add the espresso.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• When cakes are done, drizzle with the creme.