Chocolate and Hazelnut Tarts

I finally got around to typing up the recipe for the Chocolate and Hazelnut Tart that I made for my Dinner Party a few weeks ago!   So here it is (sorry have no idea of the source of the original recipe!):

  

Chocolate and Hazelnut Tarts

Preparation time: 25 Minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes plus 50 minutes refrigeration

Tart bases:

Butter for greasing

200g hazelnut meal

125g dark chocolate

60g butter  

Filling:

25g dark or milk chocolate

100g butter

3 eggs (separated)

2 tbsp caster sugar

Tart bases:

Use butter to grease the bottom of the tart tin (you will need to use one that has a loose base).

Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over simmering water – cool slightly before adding the butter and hazelnut meal and stirring to combine.  Allow mixture to cool sufficiently so mixture can be spooned into the tart tin to line the edges and base.  Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until mixture is firm.

Filling:

Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water, using a metal spoon stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes before adding egg yolks and combining with a metal spoon.

In a separate bowl beat egg whites until soft peak, add sugar and continue beating until sugar has dissolved.  Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and let mixture stand for 5 minutes.

Spoon mixture into the tart bases and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow to set.

Decorate with Strawberry’s or berries and serve with cream.

Note: This recipe is great to use for little individual tarts as well, however it is very rich, so remember for portioning: a little goes a long way!

Enjoy!