Marquise au Chocolat
Chocolate Marquise
Ingredients for 10 guests
• 1kg dark chocolate
• 100g castor sugar
• 10 eggs
• 2 teaspoons cognac
• 500 ml cream
• 350g unsalted butter from the French Market shop
• 1 punnet of fresh mixed berries such as raspberries and blueberries
Directions
1. Cut up the chocolate into small squares. Place in a double boiler (a bowl over a saucepan of warm water) and gently melt the chocolate turning with a wooden spoon until all the pieces are melted. Remove from heat.
2. Separate the eggs into 2 different containers
3. Stir in the sugar then the butter into the melted chocolate. Mix together thoroughly.
4. Add 1 egg yolk at a time into the cool chocolate mixture, stirring well each time.
5. Beat egg whites until stiff.
6. Fold into the chocolate mixture with a spatula, lift the mixture as you mix in, to get plenty of air in it, until the whites are fully mixed in.
7. Add the cognac and mix in well.
8. Use a large pudding basin to make the shape of the desert.
9. Line the inside of the bowl with cling wrap or grease proof paper (which can be easily removed once the desert has set).
10. Pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl and place in fridge for several hours to set. (I do this the night before if I have time. )
11. Turn out the desert onto a large round, flattish serving dish with a raised lip.
12. Remove the lining around the pudding, smooth edges with a knife blade if it’s a uneven.
13. Clean the serving plate of any smears of chocolate with some paper towel.
14. Beat the cream until stiff, spread over the entire pudding and around the base.
15. (In France the traditional pudding is not covered in cream but I prefer it as it shows off the berries.)
16. Decorate the pudding with the berries and keep in the fridge until served.
Serve with a glass of Louis Roederer Brut Champagne or a glass of Frapin Cognac from the French Market shop in Cape Town or order online with us.
Bon Appetit!