Description
This not-too-sweet dessert lets the quality of the ingredients play off the Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Port, NV further titillating with layers of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the flourless chocolate cake:
- 6.6 ounces Valrhona Illanka dark chocolate feves 63%
- 6.6 ounces unsalted butter
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 8.6 ounces cocoa powder
- 6 eggs (separated)
- 6.6 ounces grams sugar
- For the coffee mousse:
- .5 ounce coffee beans (roasted)
- 5.6 ounces heavy cream
- 2 sheets gelatin (bronze)
- 4 ounces ice cold water
- 6.7 ounces Valrhona Ivoire white chocolate feves
- 11.5 ounces heavy cream
- 1 tsp. coffee extract
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- For the chicory meringue:
- 2.6 ounces egg whites
- 2.6 ounces sugar
- 1.4 ounces chicory powder
- 2.6 ounces powdered sugar (sifted)
- For the candied hibiscus:
- 1.7 ounces hibiscus
- 9 ounces water
- 5 ounces sugar
- ½ tsp. citric acid
- ½ vanilla bean
- 1 star anise
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 4 juniper berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- For the flourless chocolate cake:
- Place chocolate, butter and salt over a double boiler on low heat, stirring occasionally until fully melted.
- Remove chocolate mixture from heat and stir in cocoa powder and egg yolks.
- Mix well.
- In a standard mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites to soft peaks.
- Gently stir in sugar and then whip to medium peaks.
- Fold 1/3 of the meringue into chocolate mixture.
- Repeat process until all the meringue is folded into the chocolate.
- Pipe mixture into a muffin pan, filling the cups halfway. Bake at 325°F for 12 minutes.
- For the coffee mousse:
- Roast coffee beans for 8 minutes.
- Remove from oven and place coffee beans in a re-sealable plastic bag.
- Use a rolling pin to crush the beans.
- In a small pot, bring heavy cream to a boil.
- Add roasted coffee beans and cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow to infuse for 20 to 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, place gelatin in ice cold water and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
- Remove gelatin, squeezing out any excess water.
- Bring cream back to a boil and add gelatin.
- Whisk to combine.
- Strain over chocolate and whisk to combine.
- Whip heavy cream in a standard mixer until soft peaks form.
- Fold into chocolate coffee mixture.
- Add coffee extract and salt.
- Mix well.
- Pipe mousse into 4-ounce flexi-molds or any desired shaped molds.
- Place in the freezer for a few hours.
- Once mousse has hardened, remove from molds and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For the chicory meringue:
- Preheat oven to 175°F.
- Whisk egg whites and sugar over a double boiler until mixture reaches 120°F.
- In a standard mixer, whisk egg white mixture until stiff peaks form.
- Add chicory powder and whisk well.
- Fold in powdered sugar.
- Spread meringue onto a silpat lined baking sheet and bake for 1 hour & 20 minutes.
- Cool down and break into small pieces. Store in airtight container.
- For the candied hibiscus:
- In a bowl, add dry hibiscus and cover with water. Allow to soak for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse well to remove all sand.
- In a pot, add hibiscus, 9 ounces water and remaining ingredients. Cover with parchment paper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool in an ice water bath. Once cool, place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- To serve:
- On a small plate, preferably a 5-inch round, place chocolate cake in the center.
- Top with coffee mousse.
- Arrange meringue pieces on the mousse and on the plate.
- Garnish with candied hibiscus.
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American