DIRT-CAKE
Sexy Bread
Desserts over a candlelit dinner at the sexiest place in town versus dessert over your Le Labo scented candles in your own abode, these I would say are two different ballgames. Bridging the gap is this slightly messy and indulgent treat known as sexy bread. A tongue in cheek creation that I found amusing, so it stuck. Sexy bread is something that I love to whip up for V.I.P.’s at work. Consider your lady of the evening the ultimate V.I.P.
This treat couldn’t get any easier. A little messy, crunchy, warm, chocolate-y and salty. Find your favorite baguette at a local bakery (women LOVE seeing men walk around with a baguette) and make this simple chocolate dip. The secret to the sexy bread is that it is all in the rustic tearing of the toasted baguette and of course the sea salt. Basic Instinct anyone?
Sexy Bread
The most important thing is using a great bittersweet chocolate.
12 ounces heavy cream
6 ounces bittersweet 64% chocolate*
2 ounces milk chocolate*
1 ounce Disarrono
2 T butter
1 tsp salt
1. Bring cream to a boil.
2. Immediately pour over chopped chocolates. Let sit for 3 minutes.
3. Using a stick blender, blend the chocolate and cream together keeping the stick completely submerged.
4. Add the disarrono, butter and salt and continue blending until emulsified, and glossy.
5. This is basic soft ganache. Keeping the stick submerged ensures that there is no air being incorporated into your velvety chocolate mixture. Chocolate is a emulsified mass on its own, so being sure to properly emulsify the other ingredients being introduced ensures a great mouth feel.
To Assemble:
Fresh artisan baguette
Maldon Sea Salt**
Extra Virgin olive oil
1. Toast a baguette brushed with a little bit of melted butter in a 450 degree oven until crispy.
2. Tear pieces of baguette (use a kitchen towel so you don’t burn your hand) and half dip into the chocolate ganache.
3. Pile on a platter or cutting board.
4. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle generously with Maldon salt.
*great chocolate is not hard to find, Whole Foods carries chunks and feves of Valrhona chocolate. Check the cheese section.
**Maldon Salt is a large flake sea salt. Find it at Whole Foods.
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