chocolate and cardamom torte
rating:I found this in the Guardian many moons ago.
For the torte:
300g cooking chocolate, 70% cocoa solids
150g unsalted butter
1tsp ground cardamom
6 eggs, separated
40g caster sugar
For the chocolate sauce:
200g milk chocolate, chopped
100ml water
1tsp ground cardamom
pre-heat oven to 180C. Line a spring-bottomed cake tin (about 18cm) with baking paper. Chop the chocolate into small cubes and place it, together with the butter, in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to melt.
meanwhile, beat the egg yolks, half the sugar and the cardamom until pale and very thick and creamy. Add the melted chocolate and mix. Keep aside.
in a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites and the remaining half of the sugar until stiff. Now carefully add the egg whites to the egg and chocolate mixture, making sure you stir it very gently. When mixed, pour it all into the prepared tin and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The torte will be of a mousse-like consistency.
to make the chocolate sauce, bring the water to the boil, then add the chocolate and cardamom, whisking all the time. The sauce will be thick and glossy. Serve the torte with warm chocolate sauce.