This was one of the recipes Alice Medrich demonstrated in her class at Citronelle. In her book Pure Dessert, she described it as the soul of simplicity and was inspired by Claudia Roden in her book Book of Jewish Dessert. It was so easy to make , I was able to get it done in between making my apple pie and No-knead bread 2.0 (stay tuned for both in upcoming posts) . Just remember to have your egg whites at room temperature or you can warm it up quickly over a pan of simmering water. Note that the unsweetened chocolate is roughly chopped and further grounded up with the almonds, this gives it a very interesting texture. I made mine on a ¼ baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. That way you can lift it out and cut it up like brownies.
Oh, and if you haven’t signed up for the Cookbook giveaway for Pure Dessert yet you can do so here. The contest closes on Thursday, Dec 13th at 6pm.
Italian Chocolate-Almond Torte
From Alice Medrich’s Pure Dessert
1 cup (5 oz) unblanched or blanched whole almonds
7 ounces good quality unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
7 large egg whites (1 cup)
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
Optional:
Powdered sugar or unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
Sweetened whipped cream for serving
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 °F. Grease the sides of a springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Combine the almonds, chocolate, ½ cup of the sugar , and the salt in a food processor and pulse until the almonds and chocolate are very finely chopped but not completely pulverized. Set aside.
In a clean dry bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand-held mixer and a large bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until soft, moist peaks are formed when the beaters are lifted. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup sugar and continue to beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry. Add one-third of the nut mixture to the egg whites and fold in with a large rubber spatula until nearly incorporated. Fold in half of the remaining nuts , then fold in the rest of the nuts. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake until the torte is risen and golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, or with a little melted chocolate, 25 to 30 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and invert the cake onto the rack. Remove the bottom of the pan and then the parchment liner. Turn the cake right side up and cool completely. Cover or wrap tightly, and store for up to 3 days at room temperature.
To serve, transfer the cake to a serving plate . Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa, and serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Looks fab! And it's gluten free, which is good for someone like my mother. I'll have to forward her the recipe
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Oh Veron, I do like the way these look and sound (and really it does sound easy) and look no added fat – gosh that must mean they'd be so low in calories
I still haven't made anything out of this book but it must be soon.
The torte looks awesome.
No Knead 2.0?!! Is that from Cook's Illustrated? If it is, I am so excited to see how yours turns out as that recipe is on my docket.
Looks so light and luscious. I really must start trying some Alice Medrich recipes, as you've had such good success with them.
You're obsessed with Alice, but with good reason
That looks fabulous!
This looks great, think I'll try it this week to bring to some holiday parties. I was looking for a good way to use up some leftover eggwhites other than meringues & macaroons!
BTW, I just got Michel Richard's cookbook and it looks wonderful & ingenious! I can't wait to try some things from it!
Hi Veron – this sounds delicious! The ingredients are similar to the Siena cake, but the egg whites must make it much lighter. I would love to try some!
This flavor combo sounds really good!
Hi Dana – this dessert was the favorite in the class and is packed with flavor. Be sure to use a quality unsweetened chocolate.
Hi Tana – I was trying to calculate the calories myself. No butter , no extra carbs from flour.You can even adjust the sugar. How cool is that.
Hi Marvin – yes it's the CI version of no-knead bread.
Hi Hillary – I am definitely obsessed with Alice. This woman can work magic with her desserts and everyone of them taste fab!
Hi Robin – Michel Richard's book is a beauty isn't it. His techniques are so unusual.
Hi T.W. – yes the egg whites make it amazingly light.
Hi Kristen – I truly recommend this as a quick ,easy and delicious dessert!
Oh, Veron! Only three pieces?? I'll have another round, please.
This looks delicious!!
Chocolate and almonds are so beautiful together, just like this dessert.
Love it! Almonds and chocolate are a match made in heaven. The combination is so light!
Gosh! Veron, you read my mind. I was thinking of trying out one of Alice Medrich recipe, chocolat peanut torta, Pure Dessert!
I thought about making this…glad to see it turns out so nicely.
Temptation Veron! No one can resist that association of flavors, esp if so easy to make. Lovely.
That looks much more complicated than the recipe actually is! I guess it's the unique appearance/texture. It doesn't even have many ingredients–love that Alice Medrich simplicity!
Julie
Wow! I love to find recipes where I actually have all the ingredients in my kitchen already! This looks great!
YUM!! Almonds & chocolate.. perfection!
I love the crunchediness (my word) of this.
xoxo
Lovely! I hade something similar years ago but with hazelnuts. This one looks fabulous!