White Chocolate Curls Food

WHITE-CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate, stirring, in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Turn off heat. Let cool slightly. Spread 1/4 of the chocolate over the back of a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate until just starting to set, 15 minutes.
• Using a bench scraper held at a 45-degree angle, scrape chocolate into 1/2-inch-wide curls. (If chocolate breaks, let it stand to warm slightly. If chocolate is too soft, refrigerate until just starting to set.) As you work, transfer curls to a rimmed baking sheet in the refrigerator. Repeat with remaining chocolate. Refrigerate curls until firm.

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl with the vegetable shortening. Throw it in the microwave until the shortening is melted and hot, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir with a fork to combine thoroughly.
• Next, pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a clean cookie sheet. Then, with an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate in a thin layer. Keep going until it's very, very thin. Then...and this is the key...stick it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, check that the chocolate is ready by pressing it with your finger tip; it should leave the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Next, get a somewhat sharp-edged spatula and begin to scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. When the chocolate is just the right temperature, it'll curl instead of break. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you'll have a bunch of fun little chocolate curls.
• Important: As soon as possible, transfer the curls to a cold pan or plate, and then stick them in the freezer to harden. Store in the freezer in a zip-top bag until you need them. Use them to adorn pies, cakes or platters of fruit. You'll feel instantly fancy!

ESPRESSO CAKES WITH PUMPKIN FILLING AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Arrange sponge cakes on a serving plate. Spoon 1 tablespoon espresso into each cake, allowing it to absorb coffee. Spoon 1/3 cup pumpkin filling into each cake. Using a vegetable peeler, peel white chocolate into curls. Sprinkle curls over pumpkin and serve.

ORANGE & WHITE CHOCOLATE SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift the flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in the almonds and orange juice. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
• Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, then allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
• If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a cake slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ROULAGE (WHITE CHOCOLATE ROLL)

Steps:

• Cake:.
• Lightly oil bottom and sides of a 15x10x1 inch jellyroll pan with vegetable oil; line with wax paper and lightly oil and flour wax paper. Set prepared pan aside.
• Beat egg yolks at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar; beat until mixture is thick and pale (about 5 minutes). Stir in vegetable oil and vanilla; set aside.
• Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves; fold into yolk mixture. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually fold into egg mixture. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Sift powdered sugar in 15x10 inch rectangle on a cloth towel. When cake is done, immediately loosen from sides of pan and turn out onto towel. Carefully peel off wax paper. Starting at narrow end, roll up cake and towel together; cool completely on a wire rack, seam side down.
• Unroll cake; spread spread with White Chocolate Cream Filling and carefully reroll. Place cake on platter, seam side down. Can sift powdered sugar over roll or frost with Buttercream Frosting and top with chocolate curls.
• White Chocolate Cream Filling:.
• Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small saucepan; let stand 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add grated white chocolate, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts; cool 5 minutes.
• Combine whipping cream and gelatin mixture in a small mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until thickened (do not overbeat). Stir in vanilla and chill. (Yields 1 1/2 cups).
• Buttercream Frosting:.
• Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon milk; beat until spreading consistency. Add milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. (Yield 1 1/2 cups).
• Note:.
• To make white chocolate curls, melt 3 ounces white chocolate-flavored baking bar; pour onto wax paper in a 3 inch wide strip. Let cool until chocolate feels slightly tacky, but is not firm. Pull a vegetable peeler or cheese plane across chocolate until curl forms.