About
Couture Chocolate
The very first job I had was in a small restaurant in Scotland, under the guidance of Scott Lyall. He is fantastic at training young chefs, many of whom have gone on to have great careers. Scott would be very influenced by current French trends, researching, tasting and then developing his own recipes. He was a great influence on my early development and I really enjoyed my time there when I would make these tarts with him. This is also a favourite of chocolate connoisseur Sara Jayne Stanes.
Makes 15–16 tarts
Notes
• You will need 15–16 tartlet tins measuring 7cm (2¾ inches) in diameter and 3cm (1½ inches) deep (see page 224).
• The pastry dough and the cooked sponge can be made in advance, wrapped well and frozen.
-
Luna D. favorited Chocolate Tarts
25 Apr 07:10
-
Rebecca M. favorited Chocolate Tarts
23 Jun 23:26
-
Leigh C. favorited Chocolate Tarts
05 Feb 02:43
-
enkha b. added Chocolate Tarts to food
28 Jul 22:57
-
rock3r1 favorited Chocolate Tarts
14 Jul 15:33
-
Miss Monstro favorited Chocolate Tarts
13 Jul 00:03
-
Grimgirl101 favorited Chocolate Tarts
20 Jun 22:33
-
Kenny the kitty favorited Chocolate Tarts
22 May 17:08
-
jade.owen.338 added Chocolate Tarts to Cakes
23 Apr 12:22
-
Birgit added Chocolate Tarts to Cake
06 Apr 15:25
You Will Need
-
Step 1
First, prepare & chill the pastry:
Use the pastry to line 15–16 tartlet tins, trim and rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. Meanwhile, bake the sponge:
-
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F/ Gas 3). Melt the chocolate over a bainmarie (water bath) to 45°C (113°F). Take off the heat, add the softened butter and stir until fully combined. Add the egg yolks and mix until fully incorporated.
-
Step 3
In a mixing bowl, slowly whisk the egg whites, gradually adding the sugar and increasing the speed. Continue to whisk to a soft peak meringue. Alternatively, whisk in an elextric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add one-third of the meringue to the chocolate mixture and
mix until smooth. Carefully fold in the remaining meringue. -
Step 4
Spoon the sponge mixture into a piping (pastry) bag fitted with a 12mm (1/2 inch) plain nozzle (tip) and pipe 3.5cm (1½ inch) discs onto a non-stick baking mat. Bake in the oven for 12–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Next, cook the pastry:
-
Step 5
Increase the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Using silicone (baking) paper, line the pastry cases and fill with baking beans. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the silicone (baking) paper and baking beans, then return to the oven and continue to bake for a further 10–12 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and remove the casees from the moulds.
-
Step 6
Make the glasage:
Put the cream, sugar and liquid glucose in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Gradually add the cream to the chopped chocolate, mixing continuously to form an emulsion and use immediately.
-
Step 7
To assemble & finish:
Pour the basic ganache using a jug into the base of each tartlet case until one-third full. Place a chocolate sponge disc on top of this. Pour more ganache into the tart until it reaches the top of the tart. Transfer to the fridge to set for about 20 minutes.
-
Step 8
Carefully spoon a thin layer of the chocolate glasage on top of the tart and leave to set. Make the crème chantilly and shape into quenelles. Place the quenelles on top of the tart and decorate with chocolate decorations and edible gold leaf.
