May 27, 2011

THE DARING BAKERS MAY 2011 CHALLENGE: MARQUISE ON MERINGUE

This was such a fantastic challenge, it was right for me for so many reasons. I am into plating big time lately so when I read about the challenge, I literally dreamt how I would make it and how I would plate it for days. I had to make it in order to get it out of my system, I have a bit of an obsessive personality when it comes to cooking. To make things worse, we were travelling with kids in the first ten days of May so I was in agony by the time we got back. I had to get my hands on this challenge!

Ok, this is a bit dramatic, but I really could not wait to start. It just happened that earlier in the month I found this gorgeous antique chocolate mold and I had to include it somehow in my recipe. To be honest, it was more difficult than I expected and it took me three to four meltings and remeltings (thankfully chocolate forgives a lot) to get it right - choco plaques that fall out when you tap on the back of the mold. Some torched meringue in between two plaques et voila - gorgeous homemade decorated marshmallow.


Photos I saw at the private forums were so inspiring and there were so many great tips. In the end, I combined a few (thank you Bourbonnatrix for the hazelnut tip) and came up with my own Michellinesque star creation. I am  really proud how it turned out - I mastered/tempered my chocolate, pretty dipped cashew in caramel, balanced well the flavours and spices - and I served it to myself on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. That is one of the mat leave perks, that I get to plate and make my pics in daylight and since this was melting fast, what else could I do than to eat it? Big smile on my face, still now, when I think of its divine taste.

~Marquise popsicle on torched meringue bed and caramel-rum anejo bath, held by tempered chocolate circle, with spiced nuts, Bourbonnatrix' cashew spear and cacao explosions~

I also served a different version to my hubby when he came back from work. Pure bliss!

~Marquise tower covered in crunchy nuts, amaretto caramel sauce and melted chocolate, with marshmallow chocolate sandwich~




Blog-checking lines: The May 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Emma of CookCraftGrow and Jenny of Purple House Dirt. They chose to challenge everyone to make a Chocolate Marquise. The inspiration for this recipe comes from a dessert they prepared at a restaurant in Seattle.

4 comments:

  1. Very exquisite presentation! A real pro, bravo!

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  2. wow! you're plate with the chocolate circle is absolutely beautiful! i can't believe that on top of the challenge you had the patience to play with tempered chocolate (i've never done it, and it scares me). gorgeous! (and thanks for mentioning me ;)

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  3. Great plating! And I'm sure the amaretto-caramel tasted delicious...

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  4. You did such a beautiful job! Wow... Very impressive. your chocolate circle is perfect.
    Best, sandie

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