Jaques Pepins Chocolate SoufflÈ Cake With Raspberry Sauce Food

JAQUES PEPIN'S CHOCOLATE SOUFFLÈ CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. FOR THE CAKE: Grease a 3-inch-deep 9-inch round cake pan or springform with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Combine the chocolate, butter, the remaining 5 teaspoons oil, and the sugar in the top of a double boiler (or in a microwave-safe bowl) and cook over boiling water (or in the microwave) until the chocolate and butter have melted. Stir to combine. Add the potato starch and mix it in with a whisk. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks; the mixture will thicken. Whip the egg whites in a large bowl until firm. Fold them lightly and as quickly as possible into the chocolate mixture. Pour the batter into the pan, and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. The cake should still be soft in the center. Let cool to lukewarm. Invert the cake onto a plate, then invert again so it's top side up onto a serving platter (or remove the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cake to the platter). Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar. FOR THE SAUCE: If not using seedless preserves, strain and combine with the rum and water. To serve, arrange a slice of cake on each of six to eight dessert dishes and spoon some sauce alongside. POTATO STARCH I often use a "pure starch" - generally potato starch or arrowroot - to finish a sauce and give it a bit of viscosity. If nothing else is available, you can substitute cornstarch, but it tends to make a sauce gooey and gelatinous. I prefer potato starch, which is made from steamed potatoes that are dried and ground. Inexpensive and available in 1-pound packages, it can be found in the Kosher section of many supermarkets and in Asian specialty food shops. Arrowroot, comes in very small containers and is very expensive. All of these starches are used in the same way: they are diluted with a little cold liquid and then stirred into a hot sauce. The starch thickens the sauce on contact and then it is usually brought to a boil.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 375°F. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until fragrant and slightly darkened, 5-6 minutes. Let cool slightly, then coarsely chop.
• Meanwhile, butter ramekins, making upward strokes up the sides with a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sugar, tilting to coat completely and tapping out any excess. Arrange prepared ramekins on baking sheet.
• Combine chocolate and jam in a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water); stir constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, 1-2 minutes. Remove bowl from heat. Stir in egg yolk and 1/4 tsp. salt.
• Beat egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and beat until medium peaks form, 6-7 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg whites in 2 batches. Divide batter among prepared ramekins, filling completely.
• Transfer baking sheet with ramekins to oven and bake soufflés until puffed and tops feel firm to the touch, 18-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer on medium-low speed, beat cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Dollop soufflés with cream, top with chopped pistachios, and serve immediately.