Chocolate and Macaroon Charlotte: St. Emilion au Chocolat
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
- 1/4 cup cognac, or Pineau de Charentes
- 1/4 cup water
- Macaroons, recipe follows
- Chocolate shavings, garnish
- Lightly grease a 1-quart charlotte mold.
- Place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl.
- In a small saucepan, scald the milk and sugar.
- Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate.
- Stir to blend.
- Let cool, then beat in the egg yolks until smooth and shiny.
- Add the orange peel and beat to incorporate.
- Let cool completely.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.
- Fold 1/2 of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten.
- Gently fold in the remainder.
- In a small bowl, combine the cognac and water.
- Dip the macaroons 1 at a time into the mixture, then layer across the mold, flat side down.
- Arrange additional macaroons up the sides of the mold, flat sides out.
- Spoon 1/2 of the chocolate mixture into the mold, and top with a layer of macaroons.
- Add the remaining chocolate mixture and top with the remaining macaroons.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place a plate on top.
- Place a weight (such as a large can or measuring cup filled with water) on the plate and refrigerate until set, at least 8 hours or overnight.
- To serve, remove the weight and plate and unwrap.
- Place a platter on top of the charlotte and invert, shaking slightly to release and remove the mold.
- Thinly slice.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and serve.
- 1 1/3 cups ground almonds
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
- 6 tablespoons Sauternes, Barsac or other sweet white wine
- 3 large egg whites
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease the paper.
- Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the almonds, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and wine.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff.
- Whisk into the almond mixture.
- Transfer to a saucepan and over the barest heat, whisk to dry slightly.
- Remove from the heat and let cool.
- When cool, spoon tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared sheet and flatten slightly.
- Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.
- Bake until crisp on the top rack of the oven, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do not let brown.
- Remove from the oven and lift one end of the paper.
- Pour a small glass of water under the paper.
- (The resulting steam will loosen the macaroons.)
- Let sit for 2 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool.
- Yield: about 1 dozen
semisweet chocolate, milk, sugar, eggs, cognac, water, macaroons, chocolate shavings
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chocolate-and-macaroon-charlotte-st-emilion-au-chocolat-recipe.html (may not work)