Max Brenner is creating a new chocolate culture across the world and his chocolate bars are opening up around the place in Australia as well as across the world.
To help fans get some of this culture at home there is the Chocolate: A Love Story 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max’s Private Collection recipe book and I’m here to bring you a decadent looking recipe from within its pages.
Ingredients
Poached Pears
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups water
4 firm pears, peeled and finely diced
3/4 cup good-quality white wine
Dough
5 1/2 cups plain flour
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 envelope dry yeast (2 1/4 Teaspoons)
3 tablespoons warm milk
2 1/2 (284g) sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
Cheese Filling
3/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch, sifted
1 large egg yolk
2/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
12 ounces milk chocolate, chopped (340g)
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
Method:
1. Poach the pears.
Simmer the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pears and wine. Let cool. Chill for at least 12 hours. Drain and dry the pears completely. Set aside.
2. Make the dough.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, egg and egg yolk, and salt. In a separate bowl combine the yeast and warm milk and stir until the yeast dissolves. Add to the flour mixture. Beat in the butter and sugar. Knead into a smooth dough, about 5 minutes. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into a 15-inch square about 1/4 inches thick. Cut into fifteen 3 by 5-inch rectangles.
4. Make the cheese filling.
Mix the mascarpone cheese, sugar, corn starch, and egg yolk in a bowl. Stir in half the mozzarella cheese.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) . Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture across the end of each strip of dough. Sprinkle with pears and chopped chocolate. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and pinch all sides to seal.
7. Place the pockets on the prepared baking sheets. Mix the yolk and water together to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the pockets with the egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Serve hot.
Makes: 15 pockets
Chocolate: A Love Story 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max’s Private Collection is available through all major bookstores, online at Max Brenner and in all Max Brenner Chocolate Bars, it has an RRP of $45.00
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I’m not too sure about this chocolate/cheese combination!