Chocolate St. Emilion

by Michel Lemoine
from Good Food Live

Chocaholics will adore Michel Lemoine's gloriously rich version of a classic French dessert, topped with Chantilly cream

Servings: 4
Level of difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
12 amaretti biscuits
4 splashes of Cognac
270g plain dark chocolate, broken into squares
50g Butter
7 egg yolks
7 egg whites
300ml double cream
1/2 vanilla pod
100g icing sugar

To garnish:
4 mint leaves
4 physalis
8 Raspberries
icing sugar, for dusting

Method
1. Place three amaretti biscuits each in four ramekins. Pour a splash of Cognac over each portion.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water.

3. Once the chocolate and butter have melted, remove from direct heat. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time and set aside to cool slightly.

4. In a mixing bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the whisked egg whites into the chocolate mixture.

5. Pour the chocolate mixture over the amaretti biscuits, leaving enough space in each ramekin for a layer of cream.

6. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.

7. Place the double cream in a whisking bowl. Slice the vanilla pod lengthways and scoop out the seeds into the cream. Add the icing sugar and whisk until stiff peaks form.

8. Spread the whipped cream over the set chocolate mixture, smoothing the surface of the cream.

9. Garnish each ramekin with a mint leaf, a physallis and 2 raspberries. Dust with icing sugar and serve.