Valentine's Day...Warm Chocolate Molten Cake Jean Georges

 Jean Georges Vongerichten was the chef who "invented" the warm chocolate cake, and originally, it was a mistake. I first tasted it in France while on vacation with some dear friends at the Chateau d'Ige in Burgundy in the '90's. At the end of the meal, my girl friend and I very coyly declined dessert but my friend's husband ordered this chocolate cake. He graciously offered us a bite and what ensued after that was a big fork fight to the death.

Later, when I came home, I purchased brioche pans and made it for dessert every time I had a small dinner party. Everyone raved and thought I was a genious! It never let me down.

Make sure you use a premium chocolate brand. That is what this cake is all about. You can double or triple the recipe depending on the number of guests.

This desert became so popular in the 90's that we all got sick of seeing it on the menu.  I have not made it in years but it is perfect for Valentine's Day as it can be made ahead, refrigerated and baked at the last minute.  Trust me, you can't go wrong!

Check out the rest of the menu on Lindaraxa

Serves 4

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more to butter the molds

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, preferably Valrhona
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons flour, plus more for dusting

premium vanilla or coffee ice cream (optional)

Method

1. In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and chocolate together until the chocolate is almost completely melted. While that's heating, beat together the eggs, yolks, and sugar with a whisk or electric beater until light and thick

.2. Beat together the melted chocolate and butter; it should be quite warm. Pour in the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour, just until combined.

3. Butter and lightly flour four 4-ounce molds, custard cups, or ramekins. Tap out the excess flour, then butter and flour them again. Divide the batter among the molds. (At this point you can refrigerate the desserts until you are ready to eat, for up to several hours; bring them back to room temperature before baking.)

4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Bake the molds on a tray for 6 to 7 minutes; the center will still be quite soft, but the sides will be set.

5. Invert each mold onto a plate and let sit for about 10 seconds. Unmold by lifting up one corner of the mold; the cake will fall out onto the plate. Serve immediately. with or without ice cream 

Source: Adapted from "Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef" by Mark Bittman and Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Suzanne Lenzer picture NYT

Double Chocolate Cupcakes With Rosewater Frosting

This is my first choice for a Valentine's treat.  I know a little girl who would just love another  "Nani Surprise!  

The recipe for the cupcakes is an adaptation of the Double Chocolate Pound Cake from Rose Levy Beranbaum's Cake Bible

makes 6-7 large cupcakes, more if using regular-sized cupcake liners


Ingredients

2 Tb Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 Tbspn + 1 1/2 tspn black cocoa powder (or substitute with Dutch-processed cocoa)

1 tspn instant coffee powder or espresso powder

1/4 cup boiling water

1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract

3 large eggs

1 1/4 cups (125 gr) AP flour

3/4 cup + 2 Tbspn (175 gr) granulated sugar

3/4 tspn baking powder

1/4 tspn salt

13 Tbspn (184 gr) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Whisk to combine the cocoa powders, coffee powder, and boiling water. Let cool to room temperature.

3. Once the chocolate mixture is cool, whisk in the vanilla and eggs until combined and set aside.

4. In the bowl of a mixer, combine the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix to combine.

5. Add half of the chocolate mixture and the softened butter to the flour. Mix on low until the flour is moistened and then increase speed to medium and beat for one minute to aerate.

6. Add the remaining chocolate mixture to the batter in two additions, beating for twenty seconds after each addition. Finally, beat in the chocolate chips.

7. Divide the batter amongst the paper cupcake molds, filling each about 3/4 of the way.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.


Rose-scented cream cheese frosting
adapted from Magnolia Bakery


Ingredients

1/2 stick butter, at room temperature

1/2 tspn vanilla extract

1/2 tspn rosewater

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

8 oz. cream cheese, cold

1 drop pink gel food coloring


Directions


1. Beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the vanilla extract and rosewater and mix until combined.

3. Beat in the sifted powdered sugar.

4. Gradually add small chunks of the cold cream cheese, beating well after each addition. Mix in the food coloring at the end.

5. Use to pipe onto cupcakes immediately. Top with shaved dark chocolate.



NOTE From baker: I used a large closed-star tip for the frosting in these photos.


Recipe & Image via Desserts For Breakfast

Beef Welllington Tarts For Valentine's Day

This is one of the most ingenious ideas I have seen out there for Valentine's Day.  It is elegant, simple to prepare and can be made ahead up to a point.  Just before you sit down, slice the beef, warm up the mushrooms and arrange everything on the tart.  Frankly, I don't even think it needs the mousse.  Instead, I would add some madeira or cognac to the drippings from the filet, reduce and add that to the mushrooms instead of the white wine.  Accompany with fresh asparagus or green beans and you are set to go.


Serves 2
Ingredients

8 ounces beef tenderloin

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

4 teaspoons olive oil

All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 sheet (11-inch square) thawed frozen puff pastry, preferably DuFour

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 ounces foie gras mousse (about 1/4 cup)


Directions


1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, and cook until completely browned, about 1 minute per side. Transfer skillet to oven, and cook to desired doneness (130 degrees for medium-rare, 8 to 9 minutes). Transfer beef to a plate, and let rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, cut two 5 1/2-inch squares from puff pastry; reserve remaining dough for another use. Using a paring knife, score a 1/2-inch border around each square. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

3.Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees, and continue to bake until puffed and golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

4.Meanwhile, melt butter with remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, thyme, and garlic, and cook until mushrooms are tender and garlic has softened, about 8 minutes. Add wine, and cook until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a small bowl. Cover with tin foil if not using immediately.

5.Add foie gras mousse to skillet, and reduce heat to low. Stir until just melted. Remove from heat.

6.Using the back of a spoon, flatten inside portion of each pastry square. Thinly slice beef, and arrange slices on top of pastry. Top with mushroom mixture, and drizzle with sauce. Serve immediately.

From Martha Stewart Living, February 2008

Valentine's Day Breakfast In Bed Menu- Cinnamon Pinwheels

This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday...the possibilities are endless!  There are tons of  things you can do to celebrate...that is, as far as food is concerned! I've got all bases covered, with a nice menu for dinner over at Lindaraxa's Garden and a nice brunch over here. The rest is up to you!

Valentine's Day Breakfast Menu

Blood Orange Mimosas

Baked Eggs With Spinach, Prosciutto & Parmesan Cheese

Cinnamon Pinwheels

Coffee

Cinnamon Pinwheels

1 cup sugar

1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon (to taste)

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 8 1/2 oz.), thawed but still cold

Directions

1. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together; dust work surface with half of it. Don’t unfold the puff pastry. Put it on the sugar and dust the top. Roll the dough, keeping sugar on both sides, into a 13-x-15-inch rectangle.

2. Brush off excess sugar and, starting from a short side, roll up the dough jelly-roll fashion.* Cut 1/2-inch-thick slices and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

3. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until baked through to the center. Lift them off the sheet immediately and turn them over onto a clean sheet of parchment. Cool before serving.

*for Palmiers (elephant ears):  Working from the short ends, fold each end halfway to the center. Then fold each side again towards the center until the folded edges almost touch. Fold one side over the other and press lightly. Cut in 1/2 inch slices and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Proceed as above.

Recipe Dorie Greenspan