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DARING BAKERS - JUNE 2010 ( CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA WITH CHOCOLATE MASCARPONE MOUSSE)


The June 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Dawn of Doable and Delicious. Dawn challenged the Daring Bakers’ to make Chocolate Pavlovas and Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse. The challenge recipe is based on a recipe from the book Chocolate Epiphany by Francois Payard.


More About Pavlova :


Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. It is referred as "pav", which is a cake similar to meringue with a crispy crust and soft, light inner.
The dessert is believed to have been created to honour the dancer during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s.
The dessert is a popular dish and an important part of the national cuisine of both countries, and is frequently served during celebratory or holiday meals such as Christmas lunch.
The pavlova a crisp crunchy shell, while the interior remains soft and moist. The pavlova's internal consistency is thus completely different from that normally associated with meringue, having more of a soft marshmallow texture. This difference is due to the addition of cornstarch, the use of which is the defining feature of a pavlova recipe.
Leftover decorated pavlova can be refrigerated overnight, but the dessert will absorb moisture from the air and lose its crispness. Undecorated pavlova can safely be left overnight in the oven in which it was baked, to be decorated in the morning.


Changes I made for the chocolate Pavlova :
I added 3 tbsp of almond meal to have the nutty flavour and texture to the meringue which taste great though it is not traditional. Layered with chocolate mousse and whipped cream.
Next is the Vanilla Meringue without the cocoa powder. It is individual servings with Creme Anglaise, whipped cream and Fruits.
We enjoyed both the flavors and the challenge was fun too!!!!
Ok coming to the recipe...

Chocolate Meringue (for the chocolate Pavlova)
Ingredients :
3 large egg whites
½ cup plus 1 tbsp (110 grams) white granulated sugar

¼ cup (30 grams) confectioner’s (icing) sugar

1/3 cup (30 grams) cocoa powder

Directions:
  1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 200º F (95º C) degrees. Line two baking sheets with silpat or parchment and set aside.
  2. Put the egg whites in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and gradually add granulated sugar about 1 tbsp at a time until stiff peaks form. (The whites should be firm but moist.)
  3. Sift the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder over the egg whites and fold the dry ingredients into the white. (This looks like it will not happen. Fold gently and it will eventually come together.)
  4. Fill a pastry bag with the meringue. Pipe the meringue into whatever shapes you desire. Alternatively, you could just free form your shapes and level them a bit with the back of a spoon. (Class made rounds, hearts, diamonds and an attempt at a clover was made!)
  5. Bake for 2-3 hours until the meringues become dry and crisp. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse (for the top of the Pavlova base)
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups (355 mls) heavy cream (cream with a milk fat content of between 36 and 40 percent)
grated zest of 1 average sized lemon
9 ounces (255 grams) 72% chocolate, chopped
1 2/3 cups (390 mls) mascarpone pinch of nutmeg
2 tbsp (30 mls) Grand Marnier (or orange juice)
Directions:
  1. Place the mascarpone, the remaining cup of cream and nutmeg in a bowl. Whip on low for a minute until the mascarpone is loose. Add the Grand Marnier and whip on medium speed until it holds soft peaks. (DO NOT OVERBEAT AS THE MASCARPONE WILL BREAK.)
  2. Mix about ¼ of the mascarpone mixture into the chocolate to lighten. Fold in the remaining mascarpone until well i
  3. Put ½ cup (120 mls) of the heavy cream and the lemon zest in a saucepan over medium high heat. Once warm, add the chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let sit at room temperature until cool.
  4. ncorporated. Fill a pastry bag with the mousse. Again, you could just free form mousse on top of the pavlova.
Crème Anglaise
Ingredients :
1 cup (235 mls) whole milk
1 cup (235 mls) heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
6 large egg yolks
6 tbsp (75 grams) sugar
Directions:
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture turns pale yellow.
  2. Combine the milk, cream and vanilla in a saucepan over medium high heat, bringing the mixture to a boil. Take off the heat.
  3. Pour about ½ cup of the hot liquid into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to keep from making scrambled eggs. Pour the yolk mixture into the pan with the remaining cream mixture and put the heat back on medium. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens enough to lightly coat the back of a wooden spoon. DO NOT OVERCOOK.
  4. Remove the mixture from the heat and strain it through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until the mixture is thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours or overnight.


The way I assembled the chocolate Pavlova :


1. Place the chocolate meringue disc in layers filled alternatively with chocolate mousse and whipped cream.








Vanilla Pavlova :


1. Plain meringue filled with Mixture of Creme Anglaise and Whipped cream, served with fruits.







Note :


1. I added 3 tbsp of almond meal to the meringue mixture before baking to get nutty chocolate Meringue, and tsp of corn starch.

Simplyfood  – (June 27, 2010 at 3:59 PM)  

Simply amazing.You have executed this challenge perfectly.Fantastic presentation and clicks.

sathya  – (June 27, 2010 at 4:04 PM)  

Excellent job, Nice presentation !

PJ  – (June 27, 2010 at 4:19 PM)  

oh wow Pavithra, what a wonderful presentation! looks so delicious and tempting.

GEETHA ACHAL  – (June 27, 2010 at 4:32 PM)  

மிகவும் அருமையான presentation...ஓவ்வொரு படத்திலும் வித்தியசம்...அருமை...வாழ்த்துகள்....

Rachana  – (June 27, 2010 at 5:12 PM)  

Wow!!! Thats simply gorgeous! Kudos to you!

FOODESSA  – (June 27, 2010 at 5:13 PM)  

Pavithra...I've seen a few from this challenge already...and you're certainly a top contender.
Very creative you are ;o)
Love the photos...makes you want to take a morsel from the screen ;o)

BTW...thank you for your first visit...much enjoyed your comment. Now I have discovered your blog too...fantastic!

Flavourful wishes, Claudia

Yasmeen  – (June 27, 2010 at 6:11 PM)  

Both look fantastic,adding almond meal should give nice volume,love the presentations :D

chakhlere  – (June 27, 2010 at 7:14 PM)  

Amazing Post!! Just fell in love with those pictures.
Yummyyyyyyyyyyy.

divya  – (June 27, 2010 at 7:50 PM)  

what a wonderful presentation! looks so delicious and tempting.

Suji  – (June 27, 2010 at 9:29 PM)  

Well done pavithra..no words, amazing recipe, pictures and presentation..

Love
Kairali sisters

Cool Lassi(e)  – (June 27, 2010 at 9:39 PM)  

Love the look of this pavlova and definitely the props. Awesome!

Aps Kitchen  – (June 27, 2010 at 10:26 PM)  

U got to be a read daring challehenger............... eapecially in ur presentation :)

Audax  – (June 27, 2010 at 10:59 PM)  

Stunning I just love each version but the fruit skewer one is very intriguing. Wonderful presentation of each of them also. Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.

Unknown  – (June 27, 2010 at 11:36 PM)  

OMG !!! Those pics are beyond beautiful. Love your presentations, amazing !!!

Sailaja Damodaran  – (June 27, 2010 at 11:50 PM)  

Great effort.Love the decoration.Super click too.......

Anonymous –   – (June 28, 2010 at 12:06 AM)  

Beautiful presentation. I was eyeing your fruit kabobs the other day.

BeenaShylesh  – (June 28, 2010 at 12:20 AM)  

great presentation dear.....great job....

Ash  – (June 28, 2010 at 1:23 AM)  

Dreadfully gorgeous!!!!! Bravo!!!!

Ash...
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

Aparna Balasubramanian  – (June 28, 2010 at 1:54 AM)  

Your pavlova is indeed very pretty. Can see you had fun with this challenge.

chef and her kitchen  – (June 28, 2010 at 2:06 AM)  

Every week u r amazing us wid beautiful desserts....look so so beautiful...

Anonymous –   – (June 28, 2010 at 2:21 AM)  

All those versions look beautiful. Good job on the challenge!

anchan  – (June 28, 2010 at 2:34 AM)  

Stunning! Simply stunning - I am in awe! Wow...

Indian Khana  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:00 AM)  

Oh my ..u r making me drool here...pics are fab dear...mousse looks delicious

Anonymous –   – (June 28, 2010 at 3:03 AM)  

These look just like something you'd get in a restaurant :)

Prema  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:06 AM)  

hi pavithra,

Wat a drol wrothy Recipe and Presentation...Hatsoff to ur creativity...gud job.

chef_d  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:14 AM)  

Both of your pavlovas are beautiful and nicely done...excellent job!

Priya Suresh  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:50 AM)  

Cute and gorgeous chocolate pavlova, beautiful clicks..

Lot-O-Choc  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:56 AM)  

Oh wow i love how youve assembled this, it looks excellent, i bet it tasted delicious too!

Poonam  – (June 28, 2010 at 4:00 AM)  

I have been eyeing your pav ever since u put up pics in the forum,, they look fantastic! and ofcourse the fruit skewers were such a great idea! :)

Rach  – (June 28, 2010 at 4:01 AM)  

OMG! this is simply superb! Yummy Yummy :)

Finla  – (June 28, 2010 at 5:23 AM)  

They look absloutley supr yumm and i love those fruit sticks too.

Rosa's Yummy Yums  – (June 28, 2010 at 5:42 AM)  

What beautiful creations! You did a great job. I love your presentation!

Cheers,

Rosa

Madhura Manoj  – (June 28, 2010 at 5:48 AM)  

Nice presentation.looks delicious & tempting...

Vrinda  – (June 28, 2010 at 7:46 AM)  

Drooling over those pics,chocolate n mascarpone,WOW!!!!!!!!!!Amazing dessert pavitra,well done

Unknown  – (June 28, 2010 at 7:57 AM)  

Its one of my favorites recipes. The incredients and the process of making Pongal Recipe is nice. There are lots of Pongal recipes in indianrecipes.co.in just look over it you will enjoy it.

Linda Judd  – (June 28, 2010 at 8:54 AM)  

Wow! I love how you layered it. Good job on this one.

Sushma Mallya  – (June 28, 2010 at 9:49 AM)  

gorgeous clicks, and loved the dessert...

Parita  – (June 28, 2010 at 11:09 AM)  

You did fantastic on DB..lovely clicks!

Nithya  – (June 28, 2010 at 1:03 PM)  

You are truly a daring baker :) simply fantastic. Plz send them to me.. yummmm :)

Mythreyi Dilip  – (June 28, 2010 at 1:54 PM)  

Mmmmm look at those mind blowing pictures, they are simply superb dear:)

Unknown  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:15 PM)  

Amazing clicks!! It looks perfect..Great job, Pavithra!!

Dipika  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:15 PM)  

Hey Pavithra..How r u doing?

Superb clicks - extremly innovative..need to hunt for words dear...
I love mascarpone..and the recipe fits rt for elegant desserts...

Anonymous –   – (June 28, 2010 at 3:49 PM)  

I think this is the most modern, sophisticated plating that I have seen so far for this challenge. Nicely done. Gorgeous pix.

Julie  – (June 28, 2010 at 3:53 PM)  

Your presentations are just stunning!

Unknown  – (June 28, 2010 at 4:13 PM)  

Its just gets better and better...very nice presentation, lovely photography and very good recipe.

VineelaSiva  – (June 28, 2010 at 6:28 PM)  

Oh my God the diah looks very inviting never heard and taste of it but ur pics make me tempting.

Suganya  – (June 29, 2010 at 8:56 AM)  

Lovely presentation Pavithra... Looks so cool. U r doing a great job with ur desserts. YUM!

Anu Nandu  – (June 29, 2010 at 10:14 AM)  

Pavithra - all I'm going to say is that you are a very talented girl! No words for the pavlova..just awesome!

SpicyTasty  – (June 29, 2010 at 10:47 AM)  

Nice presentation, Looks soo delicious.

nikki  – (June 29, 2010 at 2:16 PM)  

Absolutely breathtaking, beautiful work on this challenge!

Anonymous –   – (June 29, 2010 at 3:28 PM)  

am drooling pavithra..gorgeous dessert..cant take my eyes off..and meringue is really tricky..u got to get it exactly right for ur results to be stunning.and urs is

Unknown  – (June 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM)  

Hey!!pavithra u r becoming expert day 2 day yaar...I cant believe u preparing sooo good cakes like well known chef's..no words to say abt ur blog.
Excellent job dear :-):-):-)

Oggi  – (June 29, 2010 at 6:14 PM)  

Wonderful presentation. Looks delicious!

AdukalaVishesham  – (June 29, 2010 at 6:56 PM)  

mouth watering... wow its looks great.. definitely a must try

Vivian Thiele  – (June 29, 2010 at 10:45 PM)  

wow! stunning pictures! love your presentation and everything looks so yummy!

Suzana Parreira  – (June 30, 2010 at 6:20 AM)  

I love what you've done with the challenge! The nutty meringues look beautiful. :)

My Kitchen Antics  – (June 30, 2010 at 12:27 PM)  

That just looks brilliant..the pics have come out so so well Pavitra

Usha  – (June 30, 2010 at 2:13 PM)  

The pictures are stunning and the pavlova looks very tempting !

Renata  – (June 30, 2010 at 3:04 PM)  

Everything is perfect! The beautifully piped meringues, the various presentations, you are very talented! Brilliant job!

juliana alonso dorola  – (June 30, 2010 at 7:07 PM)  

i love both your presentations! they look delicius

Deeba PAB  – (June 30, 2010 at 8:32 PM)  

Well done on the challenge indeed! Your pavs are gorgeous!!

PranisKitchen  – (July 1, 2010 at 1:55 AM)  

what a grt job really delicious [avlova with nice pics..

Sandhya Hariharan  – (July 1, 2010 at 4:09 AM)  

Amazing!! and u have done it sooo well :)

Hope all is well at ur end Pavitra!! I m bloghopping after nearly 2 months.. will catch up with all ur beautiful posts...

DO sneak a peak in my blog. There is an event running on Flat breads. Do participate :)

Cheers
Sandhya

Red Chillies  – (July 1, 2010 at 9:46 AM)  

hats off to you for venturing into this and do it so well. Looks delicious!

Love2cook Malaysia  – (July 1, 2010 at 6:24 PM)  

OMG, what a brilliant presentation dear! I'm speechless! Excellent! :D

Lisa  – (July 2, 2010 at 8:00 PM)  

Beautiful job on your pavlovas and your presentation, piping, photos and everything, is simply spectacular!

Anuradha  – (July 2, 2010 at 10:29 PM)  

Wah reh wah! Never heard of all these anni... I want you to stay in India with us and make all these for us. :) Hats off to you!

Biren  – (July 3, 2010 at 8:45 AM)  

Great job! Lovely presentation and gorgeous pictures!

Thanks for visiting and following my blog. Glad to follow you back :)

Anonymous –   – (July 5, 2010 at 9:22 AM)  

That is an incredible execution of the pavlova and so creative too.

Laavanya  – (July 6, 2010 at 10:16 AM)  

Love the presentation and the pictures.. mouthwatering indeed!

Raks  – (July 6, 2010 at 11:24 PM)  

Wow,great effort pavithra,u have so much patience,lovely pictures! Each and every picture is speaking a lot ;) So who had these? How u maintain ur body doing all such baking ?? :)

Angie's Recipes  – (July 6, 2010 at 11:54 PM)  

Your pavlova look excellent! Very impressive.

Anonymous –   – (July 7, 2010 at 6:53 AM)  

This is a beautiful pavlova! i love both presentations.

sadaf  – (August 23, 2010 at 2:27 PM)  

hi Pavithra,
Thanks a lot for visiting my blog. Your pavlova is so well plated. you did well with all your db challenges. I have recently read piece montee & Swiss swirl cake posts too and love the presentation of both. Nice to meet you. Now you will find me in your follower list

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