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February 2007


Reflection:
Celebration of Love

Valentine's Day, for me, is a celebration. Celebrate the love in your life - husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend. The children who bring so much joy to the world. Call or write your parents and let them know that life is so much brighter with them in it. Smile at people as you walk by. Any person that gives you that extra squeeze in your heart, smile on your face and spirit in your soul …let them know through a romantic dinner, or a charming Valentine's Day card or simply the most beautiful words …I Love You

Tip:

When melting chocolate, take your time. Don't go too fast and too hot. When chocolate is made, it's a delicate mixture of cocoa solids. So you want to put chocolate, smashed into small pieces, in a bowl over simmering water and allow it to melt slowly in about ten minutes. It should remain nice and shiny.


Recipe
:

"Callebaut Chocolate Pot de Creme"
Almond Macaroon
serves six


Callebaut Chocolate Pot de Crème
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split, scraped
6 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
12 oz. Callebaut dark chocolate, chopped
Place chocolate in top of double boiler. Melt. Set aside. Combine milk, cream, and vanilla bean in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cover. Let infuse 15 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. Whisk egg yolks with sugar in large mixing bowl, until pale. Whisk melted chocolate into egg mixture. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Gradually add milk to chocolate mixture, whisking constantly, until smooth and creamy. Strain through fine sieve. Refrigerate overnight. Pre-heat oven to 325 F. Stir custard. Divide mixture among six - 6 oz ramekins. Place paper towel on bottom of baking pan. Place ramekins on towel in pan. Pour warm water into pan to come 2/3 up sides of ramekins. Cover pan with foil. Bake until just set around edges, but still slightly jiggly in center, about 30-45 minutes. Remove from water bath. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until chilled, at least four hours.

Almond Macaroon

2 cups whole almonds, blanched
1-1/2cups granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. salt
** powdered sugar, for dusting
32 whole almonds
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease baking sheets (or line with silpat sheet). Set aside. Pulse 2 cups almonds with sugar in food processor until finely ground. Add egg whites, almond extract and salt. Pulse until combined. Roll into 32 (1 inch) balls. Arrange balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Slightly flatten balls. Dust lightly with powdered sugar. Press 1 almond into each cookie. Bake in middle of oven until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack. Cool completely.

Presentation

2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
6 sprigs mint
1 pint raspberries
Place ramekin in center of small serving plate. Garnish with almond macaroon. Dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with mint sprigs and raspberries.


 

Bon Appetit!!
Executive Chef Bernard Guillas
The Marine Room, La Jolla, California





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