Rich Dark Chocolate Pate With Raspberry Splash Food

RICH, DARK CHOCOLATE PATE WITH RASPBERRY SPLASH

Steps:

• Line a 9 by 5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
• Place chopped chocolate into the top of a double boiler; add cream and butter. Melt over medium heat, stirring until completely smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute, continuing to stir.
• Whisk in egg yolks. Sift icing sugar into chocolate mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in liqueur. Pour into prepared pan.
• Chill for at least 8 hours to set, or overnight.
• Unmould cake, removing paper. Dust top with cocoa powder. Drizzle a large spoonful of the raspberry splash on each plate. Using a hot, wet knife, slice cake and place on plate.
• Raspberry Splash: In a food processor, puree raspberries, berry sugar and lemon juice. Pass sauce through sieve to remove seeds.
• Note: I have taken this recipe and cut it in half quite successfully ~ or ~ I have placed the cake in 2 smaller loaf pans and frozen one. Freeze for 1 month.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH A RASPBERRY FILLING

Steps:

• Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease 2 9-inch cake pans, set side.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate, and the tablespoon of butter in the microwave on medium (50%) heat.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the stick of butter, the sugar, and the vanilla.
• Stir in the eggs, 1 at a time until they are all incorporated.
• Stir in the chocolate.
• Stir in the salt and oil.
• Stir in 1 1/4 cups of the flour then the 1/2 cup of milk.
• Stir in the last 1 1/4 cup on flour and the baking powder.
• Pour the batter evenly between the 2 cake pans and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Filling: In a small sauce pan, combined all of the ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; set aside to cool.
• Frosting: In a medium bowl, add all of the ingredients and beat with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy; set aside.
• Cake: When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Loosen the edges with a knife, and turn them out onto a cooling rack(s) to cool completely.
• When the cakes are cool, pour the raspberry filling onto one of the cakes and then top with the other cake.
• Let cake cool for a while, then spread the frosting on the top and sides.
• To garnish you can place raspberries on the top and around then cake.

CHOCOLATE PATE^ WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Line 9x5x3 inches dampened loaf pan with plastic wrap. Melt butter in a large saucepan over hot water,or on low. Add chocolate chips and coffee granules,stirring constantly,until smooth. Do Not overheat. Pour into large bowl. Add sugar.beat well. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.beat until sugar is dissolved.mix in vanilla.Beat whipping cream in a small bowl until stiff. fold it into chocolate mixture. Turn into pan and cover loosely .Chill for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Now make your raspberry coulis. and pour a little over each thin slice.
• Strain raspberries through a sieve. Reserve and measure syrup. Add sugar and corn starch., stir ,heat stirring constantly ,until mixture boils and thickens. Cool , Makes 1 1/4 cups.

RICH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Make Raspberry Coulis at least 4 hours in advance: Combine raspberries, sugar and liqueur in a bowl and place in refrigerator; stir occasionally to dissolve sugar as raspberries thaw. After serveral hours, puree the ingredients (blender or food processor) and push through a fine mesh sieve. Discard seeds and solids. Refrigerate sauce (makes about 1 1/2 cups).
• Mousse: Place Marsala and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil and reduce to a syrup (about 10 minutes of boiling). Set Marsala syrup aside to cool.
• Melt chocolate chips (this can be done in a microwave or in a double boiler).
• Assemble mousse in food processor: start by blending ricotta and vanilla until smooth. Add Marsala syrup and melted chocolate; process until smooth. Add half of Cool Whip; process. Add other half and process gently to combine.
• Place mousse in refrigerate to set for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, place a pool of raspberry coulis on a plate and top with a scoop of mousse. Garnish with a mint leaf and fresh raspberry if desired.

CHOCOLATE PATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F, 180C, Gas Mark 4.
• Coat a 9" or 10" bread loaf pan with cooking spray or lightly butter and set aside.
• Boil water in a kettle.
• Place butter, sugar and coffee in a double boiler (or place large mixing bowl on top of medium saucepan filled with boiling water) and heat until all butter is melted.
• Stir in broken chocolate and mix until smooth.
• Remove from heat (or remove mixing bowl from saucepan) and cool for 10 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time either mixing by hand or using a hand mixer at a slow speed (only blend, do not beat).
• Pour into greased bread pan.
• Place bread pan in a roasting pan filled with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of warm water.
• Place in oven for 60-75 minutes.
• Remove just before it starts to brown on the edges.
• Let stand until it cool to touch (will reduce in size).
• Place tightly covered in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight to set.
• To remove from pan, fill sink with 2-3 inches hot water and place pan in sink (careful not to let water spill in chocolate).
• Let sit 10-15 minutes (depending on water temp) and run a small sharp knife around to aid removal.
• Place serving plate on top and flip over.
• Cut into thin pieces.
• Serve with clotted cream, cream, whipped cream topped with fresh raspberries.
• Serves 12-15 slices.
• *N.B.Chocolate should be less than 60% cocoa content.A higher cocoa content will make the paté grainier.
• N.B.You can double the recipe and fill within ¼ inch of top of bread pan.Prepare ramekin dishes for left over liquid.