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+ servings
Servings: 4 persons

Espresso pasta with foam and chocolate cake

This espresso and chocolate dessert combines three techniques developed by chef Ferran Adria at el Bulli: gel pasta, foam, and a 40-second microwave cake. The secret behind the cake is to create a light batter based on eggs using a siphon bottle and then "bake" the batter in paper forms in the microwave.
Author: Gæsteindlæg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Molecular gastronomy
Keyword: Coffee, Dessert, Italy, Molecular Gastronomy, siphon
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Espresso Pasta

  • 500 gram Strong coffee
  • 30 gram muscovado sugar or brown sugar
  • 40 gram Liquor with coffee flavor
  • 5 gram Gellan Gum

Chocolate shortbread

  • 180 gram Dark chocolate
  • 3 pcs. Egg
  • 1 pcs. Egg Yolk
  • 130 gram Powdered Sugar
  • 50 gram Wheat Flour
  • 0.5 gram Salt

Espresso Foam

  • 325 gram Strong coffee
  • 75 gram Muscovado Sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 pcs. Gelatin Sheets sheet
  • 125 gram Whipping Cream

Instructions

Espresso Pasta

  • Stir muscovado sugar, coffee, and liqueur in a pot
  • Add gellan gum and bring to a boil.
  • Pour the mixture onto a tray in a thin layer and let it sit until it is cooled. Tilt the tray to get rid of any excess liquid and ensure a very thin and even film of about 1 millimeter. Do it quickly, as the liquid will otherwise solidify before you can get rid of the excess. This might require a bit of practice.
  • Let the liquid solidify completely.
  • Cut into 0.5 centimeter thick strips with a knife or 'pasta cutter' (the rolling type) to create tagliatelle.

Chocolate sponge cake

  • Melt the dark chocolate over a water bath or in the microwave and let it cool slightly.
  • Whisk eggs and egg yolks together with powdered sugar and salt.
  • Fold flour and melted chocolate into the egg mixture.
  • Pour the mixture into a siphon bottle.
  • Add 2 cartridges and shake the bottle vigorously after each cartridge.
  • Let it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  • Prepare the paper forms by cutting 3 small slits in the bottom of the molds with scissors. This will allow the steam generated during heating to escape.
  • Grease the forms with a thin layer of non-stick spray (or use butter) to make it easier to release the cakes after they are baked.
  • Use your siphon bottle to fill about 1/3 of the forms with chocolate foam. Do not pour more, as the foam will expand significantly during baking.
  • Place the forms in the microwave and bake them for 40 seconds at maximum power. You can bake 2 or 3 cakes at a time.
  • Take the cakes out of the microwave and let them cool at room temperature.
  • Using a sharp knife, release the sides of the cake from the paper forms.
  • If necessary, turn the forms upside down and tap lightly on the bottom to release the cake.

Espresso foam

  • Soak the gelatin in cold water.
  • Heat 100 milliliters of coffee to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) and add 75 g of sugar.
  • Squeeze the gelatin free of water and dissolve it in the hot coffee.
  • Mix the remaining coffee with the cream and pour it into the hot mixture.
  • Pour the liquid into a siphon bottle and add 1 nitrous oxide cartridge.
  • Place the bottle in the fridge for 1-2 hours, until completely chilled.