BARBARA TROPP'S PECAN-GINGER TORTE

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Barbara Tropp's Pecan-Ginger Torte image

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories     dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield Two tortes

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 ounces pecans, plus 18 perfect pecan halves
6 large egg yolks
1 cup, minus 2 tablespoons, sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh ginger juice squeezed from about 1/2 cup of very finely diced or food-processed pureed fresh ginger
Several twists white pepper (optional)
1/2 cup matzoh meal
6 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons finely minced crystallized ginger or finely minced glaceed apricots or thin rings of candied kumquats

Steps:

  • Lightly grease two 8-to-9-inch springform pans or two 9-to-10-inch tart pans with removable bottoms. Line the bottoms with greased paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Toast the four ounces of pecans for 15 minutes in the oven, rotating the tray once midway. Let cool.
  • Mince the pecans with a sharp knife or with an on-off food processor motion, until fine but dry.
  • Beat the egg yolks until light. Add the sugar gradually, until the yolks turn very creamy and form ribbons on the beater.
  • Add the lemon juice, ginger juice and pepper. Beat to mix.
  • Add the minced pecans and matzoh meal. Beat until blended.
  • In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until they are blended. Add salt and continue whipping until the egg white forms firm peaks but are not dry.
  • Lightly fold the egg whites into the nut mixture, until well blended.
  • Divide the mixture between the two prepared pans.
  • Sprinkle the crystallized ginger, glaceed apricots or kumquats evenly over the top. Space eight pecan halves around the edges of each tart, putting a ninth in the center.
  • Bake in the middle or the bottom third of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester in the center of the cake comes out dry.
  • Let cool completely in pan. The cake tastes best baked a day in advance. Wrap air-tight overnight. Serve with a selection of seasonal berries. Or, if having a vegetarian seder, serve with Chantilly cream or Barbara Tropp's fresh ginger ice cream, the recipe for which is in ''The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking.''

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 790, UnsaturatedFat 52 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 65 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 609 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

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