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Pastry Wars: Chocolate Ganache Tart



I don't know how to get a flaky tart with shortcrust pastry. I've tried a few times already and have been less than impressed with the results. So I'm resorting to other options. Like this molten butter tart from David Lebovitz. No frozen butter, no delicate mixing - yet the crust is light and flaky.

My recipe is for a mini 3 inch tart so do go over to David's for the full recipe. Also, I always use salted butter in my baking but this is one recipe where you want to go hunt for unsalted butter (a rarity in India but essential this time round).

First off, put 30 grams butter, a tsp of canola oil (or other neutral oil), a tsp of sugar and a tbsp of water in a small saucepan. Heat on a very low flame until the butter starts of brown. Quickly dump in 1/3rd cup of flour and mix until it forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a tart mold with a removable bottom and spread it a bit with a spatula. Once the dough is cool enough to handle, pat it into the shell and press it up the sides of the tart mold. Prick the tart all over with a fork and bake in an oven preheated to 210C for around 15 minutes or until it starts to turn a golden brown.

This is a very delicate crust when warm so cool it completely in the tin, then put it in the fridge for at least an hour while you make the filling. I chose to fill my tart with a chocolate ganache.

Now there are many ways to make chocolate ganache, and there are fancy recipes that add all sorts of ingredients. But really, ganache is just cream and chocolate. Traditional recipes call for heating the cream and pouring it on top of chopped chocolate but somehow it never works for me. I also like to use a lot more cream than most people do.

So here's my way of making smooth and lite ganache. Pour 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips in a microwave bowl (I use 70% chips). Pour 1/3 cup cream on top of the chocolate. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir until the chocolate melts completely to get a silken ganache. This quantity is enough to fill a now-chilled tart. Once filled, put it back in the fridge and let set for a few hours before unmolding.
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Comments

Nithya said…
Looks so delicious. I just cant resist anything chocolaty and this is damn tempting :)
March 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Santosh Bangar said…
it looks delicious and attractive
hi simaran first time here nice blog with woonderful recipies
u send me ingredients which i realy cnfused to recognised it is quiano or some thin else can u give me some clue so that i use it and post my recipe
thanks
March 18, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Bhagyashri said…
Looks delicious Simran, must be tried!
March 18, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Santosh Bangar said…
i recieved the ingredients i am unable to recognised give me some clue
March 18, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Jayanthy Kumaran said…
Hy simran,
first time to ur blog...n amaze to c ur recipe collections..specially this one..
glad to follow u..
Do stop by mine sometime..:)
Tasty appetite
March 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM
Anonymous said…
awesome treat...irresistable. I too have bad luck with pastry but refuse to give up!
March 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Aparna Balasubramanian said…
This looks awesome. Despite my professed love for chocolate never made a ganache tart. That crust of David's is on my bookmarked list. :)
March 24, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
April 1, 2011 at 7:04 PM
Unknown said…
It's my first visit here and I am glad I stopped. This looks absolutely fabulous. Am definitely going to try this one out when i finally decide to enter the kitchen, that is. I also liked your salad tips - pretty useful...
April 1, 2011 at 7:04 PM
Unknown said…
OMG Simran! I want! Now!!

P.S - Where'd you find 70% chips?
April 6, 2011 at 9:26 PM
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