Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Valentino cake - DB February 2009


I finally made it. I almost missed this month's challenge, but last night I finally squeeze it in. I was really excited about this challenge when I first read it on the daring baker's kitchen, but ended up pressed for time to actually get it done before the due date. These two days I have been going back and forth on participating or actually sit this one out. Last night, while watching CSI and waiting my bread to prove, I decided to make the cake.

I made champagne sorbet, but it is still currently sitting in my freezer. I wanted to take some photos with it this morning, but it was really dark & gloomy this morning. I couldn't get enough lighting in my kitchen to take a decent photo. I always avoid using flash, since I don't like the effect it's doing when it comes to food photography. And secondary lighting is just out of the question since I don't have a desk lamp that is bright enough to do the job. My house is very windom limited you see. The only windows are in the bedrooms, and my bed is positioned beside the window, it's very hard to set up a proper table with it on the way. There's finally enough light at around 8am, so I only have around 40-45 mins to spare till I have to rush to work. So, here it is with my leftover vanilla ice cream, I will post more pictures tomorrow morning. hopefully the weather is better.

The cake itself is very nice and very simple to make, not the best one I had I must say. But this month's challenge is very exciting as it opens to endless possibilities. I especially love it as it gives me a chance to experiment with different flavours of ice cream. I like the champagne sorbet better paired with the choc cake. The sourness and freshness of the sorbet balanced the cake perfectly. Whereas the vanilla ice cream tends to add more richness to an already rich dessert. But in winter nights, I wouldn't mind having this cake warm with a big scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. Yumm..

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.

We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.


Chocolate Valentino

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

16 ounces (1 pound) (454 grams) of semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped ½ cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons (146 grams total) of unsalted butter

5 large eggs separated

1. Put chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water) and melt, stirring often.

2. While your chocolate butter mixture is cooling. Butter your pan and line with a parchment circle then butter the parchment.

3. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites and put into two medium/large bowls.

4. Whip the egg whites in a medium/large grease free bowl until stiff peaks are formed (do not over-whip or the cake will be dry).

5. With the same beater beat the egg yolks together.

6. Add the egg yolks to the cooled chocolate.

7. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and follow with remaining 2/3rds. Fold until no white remains without deflating the batter. {link of folding demonstration} 8. Pour batter into prepared pan, the batter should fill the pan 3/4 of the way full, and bake at 375F/190C 9. Bake for 25 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 140F/60C.

Note – If you do not have an instant read thermometer, the top of the cake will look similar to a brownie and a cake tester will appear wet.

10. Cool cake on a rack for 10 minutes then unmold.


For the Vanilla ice cream recipe, you can find it in David Lebovitz's blog here

For making the ice cream without an ice cream maker the David Lebovitz way, you can find detailed step by step instruction
here


Please stay tune for the one with champagne sorbet.. Thanks again for the tasty challenge. Looking forward for next month's and hopefully my timing is much much better.

21 comments:

  1. Better late than never. :) Great job on this month's challenge!

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  2. looks great and your pics are so nice too :)!!

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  3. Looks great and I like your pics very much too !! :)

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  4. Your cakes look beautiful in the white baking dishes and the champagne sorbet sounds delicious! I love your first photo, the texture on the cake is very crisp. Well done.

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  5. I love, love, love your first pic of the three individual servings....great job!

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  6. Great job on this month's challenge! I love the idea of champagne sorbet paired with this cake. And you have some gorgeous photos too! Btw, do you know that Duncan of Syrup and Tang is hosting a food bloggers meet this Saturday? It'll be great if you could make it! If you are interested, leave a comment on Duncan's post on the meet over at his website, www.syrupandtang.com. Hope to see you there!

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  7. A great presentation and nice pictures! Very well done!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. Lovely cakes and most beautiful pictures. You ought to add passion for photography to your profile.:)

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  9. Yeah I'm coming. I don't know anyone either but at least we'll have plenty of things in common since we're all food bloggers. I'm taking my boyfriend along, but still not sure if he can make it on Saturday. But regardless of his schedule, I'll be there. Come along, it's going to be fun!

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  10. Chocolate and champagne is a perfect V-Day (or just romantic) pairing. Great idea and your presentation and photography is beautiful!

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  11. Great job! love how you baked them in different ramekins with the colorful stripes for decoration, my fav colors!

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  12. Your little cakes look so cute :)

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  13. Hmmm, I would like one of those ramekins right now.

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  14. Love the ramekins. Great job; great photos.

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  15. Just beautiful. Love your pairing & pictures. I got some white bakeware from Victoria's Basement while visiting Sydney last year...just like the scalloped ones you've used in the above post. Your pictures are beautiful!

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  16. This is my first time to your blog--I love your photos! So pretty.

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  17. Wow. Your photos make all the arrangements look beautiful. I too like the idea of champagne sorbet. A perfect pairing.

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  18. lovely photos! ^_^ and thanks for the lighting tips!

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  19. I really love your presentation - such pretty photos, great job :)

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  20. This is lovely, Asti! And I love the sorbet idea!

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  21. Very pretty! And I like the champagne sorbet as well. Can't beat champagne and strawberries :)

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