Craig Claibornes Rum Chocolate Dessert Food

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S RUM CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Position oven rack 1/3 up from the bottom of the oven; preheat to 350°.
• You will need an 8 inch round cake pan that is 3 inches deep or a 2 ½ quart souffle dish.
• Cut a round of wax paper to fit the bottom.
• Butter the sides of the pan and one side of the paper; place the paper, buttered side up, in the pan.
• Shake a bit of flour into the pan, tap it around to coat all surfaces, then invert the pan to remove excess; set aside.
• Sift the flour and sugar together; set aside.
• Place chocolate in the top of a large double boiler over hot water on medium heat.
• Dissolve the coffee in the boiling water and pour over the chocolate.
• Cover the pot and leave until the chocolate is melted.
• Remove the top of the double boiler and stir well with a wire whisk until smooth.
• With the whisk gradually stir in the butter, adding about a ½ inch slice at a time and whisking until smooth after each addition.
• Gradually whisk in the dry ingredients and then the rum.
• Add egg yolks to a large bowl; stir them lightly with the whisk just to mix; gradually add the warm chocolate mixture, stirring well to mix.
• Add the salt to the egg whites; beat until they just hold a shape or are stiff but not dry.
• In two or three additions fold the whites into the chocolate.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan; smooth the top.
• Place prepared pan in a larger but not deeper pan, and pour in hot water to reach e cut AWhipped Cream: whip the ingredients until they are stiff enough to hold a shape when spread over the cake.
• With a small metal spatula first cover the sides of the cake and then the top.
• Additionally, may decorate with chocolate curls or with candied violets or rose petals.
• May refrigerate, if needed before serving.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH FRESH GINGER

Steps:

• Mix the ginger with one tablespoon of the sugar and set aside. Let stand for 30 minutes or longer.
• Melt the chocolate in a saucepan with the butter and rum over very low heat. Blend thoroughly. Add the ginger mixture and stir.
• Put the egg whites in a mixing bowl and reserve until ready to use. Place the yolks in another bowl and place over simmering water. Add six tablespoons of sugar and beat vigorously with a whisk until pale yellow. Add the vanilla and continue to whisk until well blended. Add this to the chocolate mixture and blend well.
• Beat the egg whites with the remaining three tablespoons of sugar until stiff. Fold this mixture into the chocolate mixture. Beat the cream until stiff and fold this in. Scrape the mixture into a serving bowl and refrigerate. Chill.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S GANACHE

Steps:

• Put chocolate into mixing bowl.
• Put cream in saucepan and bring barely to simmer.
• Add hot cream to chocolate, stirring with rubber or plastic spatula. Stir until mixture is velvety and smooth. Scrape into bowl of electric mixer and start beating at medium speed. Continue beating until it lightens in color; take care not to overbeat or it will harden. It is best to prepare mixture in a cool place until it is slightly thickened. Take care that it remains somewhat liquid. Use as filling for chocolate truffles, layer cakes and other dessert

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in metal mixing bowl. Place bowl over, not in, basin of simmering water. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate melts.
• Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook about 4 minutes or to the soft-ball stage (see note).
• Meanwhile, put egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer and start beating. When eggs are fairly stiff, reduce speed and gradually add sugar syrup while beating. Continue beating until the bottom of the bowl cools to room temperature.
• Pour and scrape melted chocolate into the mixture and blend thoroughly.
• Blend rum and vanilla. Add to chocolate mixture, and beat well to blend.
• Whip cream until stiff. Add about a third of the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture and stir to blend. Add remaining cream and fold it in. Spoon or pour the mixture into 6 to 8 serving dishes or parfait glasses, and chill until set. Garnish each serving with berries or candied violets or chestnuts.