Chocolate Frangelico Crème Anglaise Coupes With Fresh Raspberries Food

CHOCOLATE-FRANGELICO CRèME ANGLAISE COUPES WITH FRESH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Combine milk and cream in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer. Whisk yolks and sugar in medium bowl to blend well. Gradually whisk in hot milk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 5 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth. Whisk in Frangelico and vanilla. Strain custard into medium bowl. Cover; chill at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Divide crème anglaise among 8 dessert glasses. Top with raspberries.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE WITH ESPRESSO CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and remove the top oven rack. Prepare 6 (8-ounce) coffee cups or ramekins with straight sides (or a 2-quart souffle dish) by greasing with butter and coating with granulated sugar, pour out any excess. The butter and sugar will keep the souffles from sticking to the sides, which will allow them to rise evenly. The sugar will also give the souffle a crunchy crust, which is a great contrast to the soft interior.
• To make the pastry cream base for the souffle: Combine the milk and vanilla bean and seeds in a heavy large pot and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat and discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, and 1/4 cup of sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in about half of the hot milk mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the pastry cream back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is nice and thick, enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Slowly melt the chocolate with the Frangelico in a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the pastry cream; cool to room temperature.
• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites and salt just until they hold soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the chocolate pastry cream to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon the batter into the prepared coffee cups, 2/3 of the way full, and shake them gently to smooth out the top. Place the coffee cups on a cookie sheet and bake on the middle rack for about 20 minutes. The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden and the center is still a bit loose and creamy; take care not to over bake. To serve, have each guest crack open the top of the souffle with a spoon and pour in the Espresso Crème Anglaise. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.
• Pour the heavy cream and vanilla bean and seeds into a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat. Discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, coffee, and espresso powder, until well blended. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in the hot cream mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the custard back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately with Chocolate Souffle. (If not serving immediately, press plastic wrap on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate.)

CHOCOLATE TART WITH CRèME FRAîCHE & RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• To make the pastry, put the flour and almonds in a bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. You can do this in the food processor. Stir in the sugar. Add the egg yolk and 1 tbsp of cold water and mix to form a firm dough. Knead briefly, then wrap in cling film and chill for 15-20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to fan 170C/ conventional 190C/gas 5. Roll out the dough and use to line a 24cm flan tin. Trim off the excess pastry, then line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake blind for 15 minutes, remove the paper and beans and cook for a further 7-10 minutes until crisp and golden. Leave to cool.
• To make the filling, melt the chocolate in a microwave on Medium for 2 minutes. Put the egg whites and sugar in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk for 5 minutes until thick, white and glossy. Remove from the heat and whisk for a further couple of minutes to cool it.
• Whisk the cream until it just holds its shape. Fold the chocolate and cream into the egg mixture, then add the brandy. Pour into the pastry case and smooth the top. Chill until set for about 20 minutes.
• To serve, whip the remaining cream until just stiff. Put a thin slice of tart on each plate. Spoon some cream on top and scatter with raspberries and blueberries. Dust with icing sugar.