Yotam Ottolenghi - the most fabulous cook. Has three books and the latest is going to top the xmas lists. He has restaurants in Notting Hill Gate and near the Almeida theatre.Did brilliant programme last December called "Jerusalem on a plate" which was the best food programme I've ever seen.This takes forever but isn't hardOTTOLENGHI’S CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE - Serves 8-10Ingredients240g unsalted butter cut into small cubes, 265g dark chocolate (52% cocoa solids) cut into small pieces, 95g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) cut into small pieces, 290g light muscovado sugar, 4 tablespoons water, 5 large eggs (separated), pinch of salt, cocoa powder for dusting Preheat your oven to 170°C. Grease a 20cm springform cake tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment. Place the butter and both types of chocolate in a vary large heatproof bowl - it should be big enough to accommodate the entire mix. Put the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan, stir to mix, then bring to the boil over a medium heat. Pour the boiling syrup over the butter and chocolate and stir well until they are melted and you are left with a runny chocolate sauce. Stir in the egg yolks, one at a time. Set aside until the mixture comes to room temperature. Put the egg whites and salt in a large bowl and whisk to a firm, but not o dry meringue. Using a rubber spatula or large metal spoon, gently fold the meringue into the cooled chocolate mixture a third at a time. The whites should be fully incorporated but there is no harm if you can see small bits of meringue in the mix. Pour 800g (two thirds) of the mixture into the prepared cake tin and level gently with a palate knife. Leave the rest of the batter for later. Place the cake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until a skewer comes out almost clean. Remove from the oven and lave to cool completely. Flatten the top of the cake with a palette knife. Don’t worry about breaking the crust. Pour the rest of the batter on top and level the surface again. Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Thea cake should still have moist crumbs when checked with a skewer. Lave to cool completely before removing from the tin. Dust with coco powder and serve Cooking notesWhen you pour the hot sugar over the chocolate I found that the sugar did not completely dissolve, it went slightly grainy until I added the yolks and gave it a good beat. This sorted it self out in the cooking so don’t panic!The cake will keep covered, at room temperature for 4 days.The recipe states that this will feed 6-8 ... it is so rich that it stretched to 12 very happily.
Sara Nathan ● 5085d