Chocolate Tortoni Food

CHOCOLATE TORTONI

Steps:

• In a microwave oven or over boiling water, melt both kinds of chocolate.
• Set aside to cool.
• Toast the almonds in a shallow pan in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for about 10 minutes.
• Beat egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until foamy white.
• Gradually beat in 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until soft peaks form.
• Beat two cups of cream in a bowl until stiff.
• Beat in two teaspoons of sugar, the vanilla and melted chocolate, blend well.
• Fold the beaten egg whites, the chopped cherries, toasted almonds and the melted semi-sweet chocolate into the whipped cream mixture.
• Small chunks of chocolate may remain.
• Place paper baking cups in 24 muffin-pan cups (about 2 inches diameter).
• Freeze until firm. four hours or overnight.
• Beat remaining 1/2 cup of cream in a small bowl until stiff.
• Garnish each tortoni with a rosette of cream and a candied cherry.

TORTONI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Break the macaroons into pieces and toast them on a baking sheet until golden, dry and crumbly. Let cool. Grind to fine crumbs in a food processor. You need about 1 cup.
• Combine the sugar and 3/4 cup water in a small, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook until the syrup reaches 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in a mixer, whip the egg whites until they form firm peaks. By hand, whip the yolks until fluffy. In the mixer bowl, fold together the whites and yolks.
• When the sugar is ready, turn on the mixer to medium speed and, with it running, slowly pour in the syrup in a fine thread. Reduce the speed to low and whip until the mixture cools to room temperature. Mix in the vanilla.
• Whip the cream and fold it into the egg mixture.
• Line the base of a 2-quart soufflé dish (or other mold) with parchment. Spoon half the crumbs into the base. Cover with the mousse. Top with the remaining crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
• Dip the base of the dish in a bowl of hot water. Run a knife around the edge of the mold, then invert onto a plate. Cut into wedges.

RACHAEL RAY'S TORTONI

Steps:

• Mix together softened vanilla ice cream (you can soften it in the microwave on defrost for up to 1 minute), crushed coconut cookies, semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped cherries. Refreeze for at least 1 hour.
• When ready to serve, scoop ice cream into 6 serving bowls. Top with heated hot fudge sauce or chocolate syrup and nut topping. Garnish each sundae with a whole cherry and serve.