HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE MOCHA TORTE

Steps:

• MAKE THE BAVARIAN CREME: Lightly oil a round, shallow casserole or bowl approximately 10 inches in diameter.
• Line it with a layer of plastic wrap large enough to overhang the edges.
• In a small cup, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of the milk; set aside.
• In another small cup, stir the coffee into the cognac; set aside.
• In a saucepan, scald the remaining 1 cup milk.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the scalded milk.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir constantly over moderate heat until thick enough to coat the back of the clean spoon. DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL.
• Transfer custard to a large bowl and whisk in the reserved gelatin and coffee mixtures, beating to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin.
• Cool to room temperature, whisking vigorously every couple of minutes to prevent lumping.
• When the custard is cool but not set, whip the cream until almost stiff.
• Whisk a large spoonful of the cream into the custard, then gently fold in the remaining cream.
• Carefully pour the bavarian cream into the prepared plastic lined bowl.
• Refrigerate, covered until firm. (This may be made one day ahead.).
• MAKE THE HAZELNUT JAPONAISE: Preheat the oven to 250.
• Butter and flour a baking sheet, preferably nonstick, and trace a 10 inch circle onto it, using a cake pan or pot lid as a guide.
• Blend together the hazelnuts, 1/2 cup of the superfine sugar and the cornstarch; set aside.
• Beat the egg whites until foamy, then add the cream of tartar and continue beating until the whites form soft peaks.
• Beating constantly, gradually add the remaining 2 T. superfine sugar and continue to beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
• Lightly fold the hazelnut mixture into the meringue.
• Spread the meringue onto the 10 inch circle on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the meringue is set but still somewhat soft and just beginning to brown lightly.
• Using a thin metal spatula, loosen the baked meringue layer from the baking sheet. ( the meringue may tear slightly, but it will not show.).
• If it is too fragile to remove from the sheet, cool it on its baking sheet set on a wire rack, and then loosen from the sheet.
• MEANWHILE, PREPARE THE CHOCOLATE GENOISE: Preheat a second oven, of you have one to 350; otherwise, when the meringue is done, raise the heat to 350.
• Lightly butter a round, flat pan at least 12 inches in diameter.
• Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of waxed paper or parchment.
• Lightly butter and flour the paper and sides of the pan.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
• Skim off the foam carefully.
• Cool slightly.
• Into a small bowl, sift the flour and cocoa together.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and the granulated sugar until very light, foamy and almost tripled in volume.
• Add vanilla, then lightly but rapidly fold the flour-cocoa mixture into the eggs.
• When the ingredients are almost but not quite homogeneous, fold in the melted butter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cake springs back when toughed gently.
• Remove from the oven and cool briefly in the pan.
• Invert a pie plate with slanted sides onto a cooling rack, then cover the pie plate with a kitchen towel.
• Lightly sprinkle the towel with confectioners sugar and invert the genoise onto the towel.
• Gently peel off the paper and allow the cake to cool.
• ASSEMBLE THE TORTE: Carefully transfer the japonaise to a serving platter.
• Equally carefully, invert the bavarian creme over the japonaise.
• Peel the plastic wrap off the bavarian and trim any ragged meringue edges off the japonaise.
• Top the bavarian with the genoise, pressing it into a dome shape if necessary.
• MAKE THE FROSTING: Whip the cream until thick but not stiff, then add the confectioners sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
• Whip unti quite stiff.
• Spread over the torte, flattening the top slightly.
• TO DECORATE THE CAKE: Using a swivel-bladed peeler, scrape the chocolate into long shavings.
• Lightly sprinkle the shavings over the torte and chill for a t least 2 hours.
• At serving time, dust lightly with confetioners sugar sprinkled through a small sieve.