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Chocolate Tart with Nut Crust





Yields
Makes 8 to 10 servings

Notes: John Johnson, chef and owner of Rancho de San Juan in Española, New Mexico, serves this very rich chocolate-nut tart with softly whipped cream. If making up to 1 day ahead, cover and chill. To serve, let warm to room temperature, about 1 hour.

Chocolate Tart with Nut Crust




James Carrier
 1 cup chopped walnuts
 1 cup pine nuts
 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine
 9 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
 6 large egg yolks
 1 teaspoon cognac or brandy
 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  Unsweetened cocoa powder
Step 1
1

In a food processor, whirl walnuts, pine nuts, and 1/2 cup sugar until nuts are coarsely ground. Pour into a 9-inch tart pan with removable rim. In a 2-cup glass measure, melt 1/4 cup butter in a microwave oven at full power (100%), 20 to 30 seconds. Add melted butter to nut mixture and rub in with your fingers to blend. Press mixture evenly over bottom and up sides of pan. Set pan on a foil-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheet.

Step 2
2

Bake in a 325° regular or convection oven until crust begins to brown around edges, 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, chop half the chocolate into 1/2-inch chunks and set aside. Finely chop remaining chocolate.

Step 4
4

In the glass measure, combine remaining 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces, with finely chopped chocolate. Heat in a microwave oven at half power (50%) until chocolate is soft, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir until mixture is smooth.

Step 5
5

In a bowl with a mixer on high speed, beat egg yolks, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, cognac, and almond extract until mixture turns pale yellow, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate-butter mixture and beat to blend. Stir in coarsely chopped chocolate. Scrape into warm nut crust.

Step 6
6

Bake in a 325° regular or convection oven until filling barely jiggles when pan is gently shaken, about 15 minutes. Set on a rack until warm or cool.

Step 7
7

To serve, remove rim; dust tart lightly with cocoa and cut into wedges.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 448Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 36g56%

Saturated Fat 13g65%
Cholesterol 152mg51%
Sodium 100mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 32g11%

Dietary Fiber 2.8g12%
Protein 8.7g18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.