Mexican Chocolate Torte Food

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE TORTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Stir brownie mix, oil, eggs, and water together in a bowl until well blended. Pour batter into the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes. Let brownies cool completely, at least 20 minutes.
• Beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add sugar gradually, continuing to beat until fully incorporated. Beat in cinnamon and ground chile pepper.
• Cut brownies into an even number of circles using a cookie cutter. Poke small holes into brownies with a toothpick. Brush on coffee, making sure it seeps into the brownie. Spread cinnamon-chile whipped cream on top, cover with another brownie circle, and pipe or spread more whipped cream on top. Repeat with the remaining brownies and whipped cream.

CHOCOLATE TORTILLA TORTE

Steps:

• Melt chocolate chips in microwave until melted (stir every 30 seconds).
• Cool chocolate slightly (about 5-10 minutes); it should be smooth.
• Mix in sour cream.
• Mixture should be the consistency of thick pudding.
• Spread first tortilla with layer of chocolate mix.
• Be sure to go to edges.
• Repeat until all tortillas are used.
• There should be enough chocolate mix to liberally cover the top.
• (If I've made the chocolate layers thinner, I frost the whole thing).
• Decorate with strawberries or raspberries.
• Important: Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE AND DULCE DE LECHE CREPES TORTE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the granulated sugar and salt.
• Whisk in the milk, vanilla, 6 whole eggs and the 4 tablespoons of melted butter and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet and lightly brush with melted butter.
• Pour 1/3 cup of the crêpe batter into the skillet and immediately swirl until it reaches halfway up the side.
• Pour any excess batter back into the bowl.
• Cook the crêpe over moderate heat until golden at the edge and set in the center, about 1 minute.
• Flip the crêpe and cook for about 15 seconds longer, or just until the bottom is browned in spots.
• Transfer the crêpe to a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
• Repeat with the remaining batter, brushing the skillet with butter only as needed.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of the cream to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate and cinnamon.
• Let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
• Whisk in 2 of the egg yolks.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the dulce de leche with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream and 2 egg yolks.
• Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper.
• Fit a crêpe in the bottom of the pan, pressing to flatten it.
• Halve 2 crêpes and line the sides of the pan with them, placing the cut sides down and slightly overlapping the bottom crêpe; the rounded part of the halved crêpes will hang over the edge of the pan a bit.
• Spoon a slightly heaping 1/2 cup of the chocolate filling into the pan and spread to the edge of the crêpe.
• Top with another crêpe, pressing to flatten it.
• Spoon a slightly heaping 1/2 cup of the dulce de leche filling on top, spread it to the edge and top with a crêpe.
• Repeat this layering with the remainder of the fillings and 4 more crêpes, ending with a crêpe.
• Any leftover crêpes can be frozen between sheets of wax paper for later use.
• Fold the overhanging crêpes over the top.
• Press a round of buttered parchment paper directly onto the torte and cover the pan with foil.
• Bake the torte for 1 hour, or until puffed.
• Remove the foil and let cool for 1 hour.
• Remove the parchment and run a knife around the edge of the pan.
• Invert a plate over the pan and then invert the torte onto the plate.
• Remove the pan and parchment paper and let cool completely.
• Sift confectioners' sugar over the torte just before serving.
• MAKE AHEAD The baked torte can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Reheat slightly in a 350° oven.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter an 8 1/2-inch springform pan and line it with a round of wax paper. Butter the paper and dust the pan with flour, knocking out the excess. In a food processor blend together the almonds, the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and the salt until the almonds are ground fine, add the chocolate, and blend the mixture until the chocolate is ground fine. Add the egg yolks and the vanilla, blend the mixture until it is combined well (it will be very thick), and transfer it to a bowl. In another bowl with an electric mixture beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold soft peaks, beat in the granulated sugar gradually, and beat the meringue until it just holds stiff peaks. Whisk about one third of the meringue into the chocolate mixture to lighten it and fold in the remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing the top, and bake the torte in the middle of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Let the torte cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, run a thin knife around the edge, and remove the side of the pan. Invert the torte onto the rack, discarding the wax paper, and let it cool.
• Make the glaze:
• In a metal bowl set over barely simmering water combine the chocolate, the butter, the cream, and the corn syrup, stir the mixture until it is smooth, and let the glaze cool until it is just lukewarm.
• Set the torte on the rack over wax paper and pour the glaze over it, smoothing the glaze with a spatula and letting the excess drip down the side.
• Make the icing:
• In a bowl whisk together the confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon of the milk and add enough of the remaining milk, drop by drop, to form a thick icing.
• Transfer the icing to a small pastry bag fitted with a 1/8-inch plain tip and pipe it decoratively on the torte. Transfer the torte to a serving plate and let it stand for 2 hours, or until the glaze is set.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Slice pound cake lengthwise into three layers and set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and cocoa; beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in extract. , Place one layer of cake on a serving platter; top with 1 cup of the frosting. Repeat layers. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Garnish with almonds if desired. Chill at least 15 minutes. Refrigerate any leftovers.,

MEXICAN STEAK TORTA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate. Season steak with garlic salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
• Grill steak on the preheated grill until medium-rare, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat to a cutting board and cover with foil.
• Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread both halves of each roll with mayonnaise. Brown the rolls, mayonnaise-side down until golden, about 3 minutes. Warm the refried bean in a bowl in the microwave, about 1 minute on High, and slice the sirloin steak into thin strips.
• Spread a thin layer of beans on the bottom half of each roll, layer with steak, avocado, tomato, and lettuce. Top with cheese, if desired, and close the sandwich with the top of the roll.

CHOCOLATE & COCONUT CREAM TORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix wafer crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom and 2 in. up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan., Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Pour over prepared crust. Refrigerate 1 hour., In a large saucepan, combine coconut milk, coconut and sugar; bring just to a boil. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, reserving strained coconut; return coconut milk mixture to saucepan. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth; stir into coconut milk mixture. Return to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk egg and egg yolk. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg mixture; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat., In a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin over remaining cold water; let stand 1 minute. Microwave on high for 30-40 seconds. Stir and let stand until gelatin is completely dissolved, 1 minute. Whisk gelatin mixture into coconut milk mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour, whisking every 15 minutes., In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold into coconut milk mixture. Spoon reserved strained coconut into prepared crust. Spread filling over coconut. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight before serving., Remove rim from pan. Top with toasted coconut.,

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE TART WITH CINNAMON-SPICED PECANS

Steps:

• For pecans:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Whisk all ingredients except pecans in medium bowl. Stir in pecans. Spread in single layer on sheet, rounded side up. Bake until just browned and dry, about 30 minutes. Cool on sheet. Separate nuts, removing excess coating. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are moistened. Press crumbs into 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom, to within 1/8 inch of top. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.
• For filling:
• Bring cream to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolates; whisk until melted. Add butter, 1 piece at a time; whisk until smooth. Whisk in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour filling into crust. Chill until filling begins to set, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Arrange nuts in concentric circles atop tart. Chill until set, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover loosely with foil and keep chilled. Serve tart with whipped cream.