Tra Vignes Chocolate Tiramisu By Michael Chiarello Recipes

Steps:

• To make mousse:.
• Combine the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl and place in the microwave and cook on high heat for 45 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and the misture is smooth and shiny.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone and chocolate mixture with an electric mixer at medium to medium-high speed untilsoft and creamy. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• In anotehr bowl, with clean beaters, whip the egg yolks and sugar until frothy, about 30 seconds on high. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the egg mixture into the chocolate-cream mixture until blended. Cover the mousse and refrigerate until ready to assemble the tiramisu. (You should have about 2 cups mousse. The mousse may be made ahead, covered, and refrigerated for up to 1 day.).
• To make the zabaglione:.
• Prepare an ice water bath. Combine the yolks, rum, Marsala and 1/2 cup sugar in the top of a double boiler. Place over (nottouching) barely simmering water in the lower pan and whisk vigorously, or beat with an electric mixer, until the mixture begins to foam. Whisk continuously until the mixture triples in volume and thickens to form soft mounds when the whisk is lifted, about 7 minutes. Immediately place the top of the double boiler in the ice water bath to stop the cooking. Let cool, sitrring occasionally.
• In a small bowl, beat the 1/2 cup heavy cream until it begins to foam. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons sagar and continue to beat until the cream holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into the cooled zaboglione. Cover and chill for several hours before assembling the tiramisu. You should have about 2 cups.
• To assemble the dessert:.
• In a small bowl or pitcher, add the sugar to the hot espresso. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, then add the dark rum.
• Cut off the top of the cake and reserve for another use (see chefs note). Cut the cake in half horizontally. Arrage a layer of cake, cut side up, in the bottom of a deep 2 1/2 quart bowl. Moisten evenly with some of the espresso syrup (can use a turkey baster). Spread half of the mousse on top, and then spread half of the zabaglione on top of the mousse. Arrange the second layer of cake, again cut side up, on the mousse. Moisten well with syrup. Spread the remaining mousse on top in an even layer, followed by the remaining zabaglione. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving. With a vegetable peeler, cut curls of chocolate to garnish the top, or dust with cocoa.
• Chefs Note:.
• The shiny to of the cake will not readily absorb syrup. If you do not cut it off, you might find dry spots in your tiramisu. But don't throw the top out! Crumble it inot crumbs and place them in a 150 degree to 200 degree oven until thoroughly dry and crunchy. Use to decorate the top of the tiramisu, or save them to add to cookie batters or to scatter in pies and tarts to absorb juices.

Steps:

• In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 8 ounces of chocolate in 30 second intervals in the microwave until smooth. Dip the top of each cone into the chocolate so there is a 1-inch rim, then roll in the crushed or ground espresso. Place the dipped cones on a wax paper-lined plate and refrigerate. When firm, about 20 minutes, remove from the refrigerator and set cones, dipped side up, inside small glasses so they stand upright. Spoon the remaining melted chocolate evenly into the sugar cones and return (glass and all) to the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, hull and quarter 2 pints of strawberries and puree them in a food processor with 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 5 tablespoons of the sugar and a pinch of salt. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and cook until reduced by half, about 35 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour into a small bowl and chill the puree until cold.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream and mascarpone to stiff peaks and then fold in the puree in 2 batches. Refrigerate until firm and set, 1 to 2 hours.
• Just before serving, hull the remaining 1 pint of strawberries and cut them lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
• To assemble: Spoon strawberries into the cones until they are 1/4 full. Top that with approximately 1/4 cup of the mascarpone mixture, using an ice cream scoop that has been dipped in warm water. Garnish with shaved bittersweet chocolate and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop, spoon out balls from the tray of tiramisu to create the bon bons. Freeze the bon bons on a cookie sheet for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Melt the bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler until smooth and glossy. Dip frozen tiramisu bon bons in melted chocolate until covered on all sides. Place the bon bons on a cookie sheet covered in parchment or waxed paper and return them to the freezer. Take bon bons out of freezer and let them thaw for about 15 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and crystal sugar until light and fluffy. Add brown sugar while mixing. Add the eggs, flour mixture, and anise seeds. Beat on low just until the dough begins to come together. Add the almonds and mix just until distributed. Do not overwork. On a floured board, shape the dough into a log, flatten, put on a baking sheet, and chill for 2 hours to allow the dough to relax. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions on a lightly floured work surface. Using your hands, roll each portion into a log about 3 inches in diameter. Top generously with crystal sugar. Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet and press down lightly to flatten slightly. Logs should be several inches apart. Bake until firm and light brown, about 1 hour or more. When poked with a finger, the dough should feel firm to the touch and not collapse or cave in. Remove from the oven. Let the logs cool completely before serving. Variation : Try substituting 1/2 cup of cacao nibs for 1/2 a cup of almonds. They'll add a subtle chocolate flavor.

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a kitchen aid fitted with paddle attachment, cream together the butter and crystal sugar until light and fluffy. Add brown sugar while mixing.
• Add the eggs, four mixture and anise seeds. Beat on low just until the dough begins to come together.
• Add the almonds and mix just until distributed.
• Do not overwork.
• On a floured board, shape the dough into a log, flatten, put on a baking sheet and chill for 2 hours to allow the dough to relax.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions on a lightly foured work surface.
• Using your hands, roll each portion into a log about 3 inches in diameter.
• Top generously with crystal sugar.
• Place the logs pm the prepared baking sheet and press down lightly to flatten slightly. Logs should be several inches apart.
• Bake until firm and light brown, about 1 hour or more.
• When poked with a finger, the dough should feel firm to the touch and not collapse or cave inches
• Remove from the oven.
• Let the logs cool completely.