I've been feeling pretty rotten lately. On Sunday I was feeling somewhat better and decide to really challenge myself (mistake number one) so out came the cookbooks...and the search began. I was searching for something chocolately, something to test, something that could be shortlisted for my Christmas meal. I was flipping through my books, my clippings and my basket of mags...and then I came across Stephane Reynaud's Buche de Noel from 365 Reasons to Sit Down and Eat. Perfect! Buche de Noel...with a choice of fillings- chocolate or chestnut cream.
Done done done! The filling had to be chocolate...David's request and well...my mum doesn't like chestnuts and I am already putting them in the stuffing and with the brussels...so she needs a break! The cake was easy to make (even after I realised that I had bought XL eggs...grrrr) and it rolled up really nicely. So...once cooled I got onto the chocolate cream filling....and this is where it all went wrong.
The instructions in this cookbook are minimal. For the most part there isn't much cook's intuition needed, but man I was waaaaay off on Sunday. The instructions say to melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler and then add in whipped cream. Not a word about letting the chocolate cool...I should have realised...I mean I kinda did...I let the chocolate cool a little...but well...I guess you can imagine what happened. The chocolate was too warm and totally melted the whipped cream!! So I tried to rescue it by whipping it all up again...but the butter made it a little bit greasy. Anyway, I managed to spread enough on the cake and roll it up, cover the top and get it all in the fridge to cool and set.
While it looks presentable it is not going on the Christmas dessert shortlist...back to the drawing board I go!
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Shame it was a pain to make - it looks absolutely lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt looks completely lovely Victoria, you've made me nervous though. My little girl has found a video of Martha Stewart making a buche noel and is determined to that we (she and me!) will make one for Christmas lunch. I think I had better have a rehearsal next week before she finishes school! Jude x
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have known you had any problem at all, it looks luscious. I've never made one, but always drool when I see photos.
ReplyDeleteit looks stunning... I can tell you that anything rolled up is more hassle than it's worth... unless you try my mum's roulade... then you'll never look back x
ReplyDeleteI think its looks great, but as always its in the eating......xx
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sue! If you hadn't mentioned that it was bloomin' tricky, we wouldn't have thought there had been any difficulties at all, it looks just delicious. But thank you very very much for warning-I have this on my 'to bake' list next week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame, although it looks STUNNING! I do love a Buche de Noel, and always make one, but the air is often blue in the kitchen when I come to roll it up!
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