Hello friends,
Here is a recipe that should appeal to you because it combines three things I particularly love when I think of a recipe: ease of execution, great taste through good flavor pairings, and a visually striking presentation… I think we’ve got it.
Today, I present to you my pistachio and chocolate delight.
I came up with this recipe for a client (De Buyer, to be precise 😉 ) who wanted a sweet recipe for St. Patrick’s Day.
Before telling you more, here are some pistachio-based recipes already on the blog:
- the Christmas tree made of pistachio madeleines
- the diamond-shaped chocolate and pistachio bredele
- the pistachio flan
- the quick apple, pine nut, and pistachio tartlets
- the Love Story Vanilla and Pistachio entremet
- the fig and pistachio tart
- the pistachio macarons
- the pistachio and raspberry financiers
- the pistachio and chocolate tart
- the pistachio King Cake
- and the pistachio and red fruit tart.
On the savory side, I previously shared a special St. Patrick’s Day recipe: the Irish beef stew with Guinness. A great way to explore Irish cuisine…
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated every year on March 17, is a global celebration honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This holiday, rich in traditions and symbolism, is an opportunity for the Irish and lovers of Irish culture to celebrate their heritage and identity.
The origins of St. Patrick’s Day date back to the 5th century when Saint Patrick, a Christian missionary, arrived in Ireland to spread Christianity. According to legend, he used the three-leaf clover to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. This symbol has since become emblematic of the holiday and of Ireland itself.
St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for centuries, but it was only in the 18th century that it became more officially recognized. In the United States, the first St. Patrick’s Day parades were held in Boston in 1737 and in New York in 1762, organized by Irish immigrants eager to celebrate their heritage.
St. Patrick’s Day traditions are numerous and varied. One of the most iconic is wearing green clothing, a color associated with Ireland and its lush landscapes. Parades are also a key feature of the holiday, with colorful and festive processions attracting thousands of spectators. Traditional Irish music, dancing, and street performances contribute to the cheerful and friendly atmosphere.
Food and drinks also play an important role in the celebrations. The traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish is corned beef with cabbage, though this is more of an American tradition than an Irish one. In Ireland, bacon and cabbage are more commonly eaten. Beer, particularly Guinness, is the drink of choice for many revelers.
So, to capture the essence of this holiday, I focused on three aspects:
- Gourmet indulgence (obviously!!)
- The green color of pistachio (a must, given what I just explained)
- And the clover.
Alright, on this last point, I strayed from Irish tradition by opting for a four-leaf clover (to bring good luck, you never know!!) instead of the traditional three-leaf clover of St. Patrick. But that’s because with four leaves, my pistachio and chocolate delight will delight even more food lovers… 😉
Now, let’s get into the making process. The different elements of this dessert are very easy to prepare. Here they are:
- A pistachio financier base (financier is the simplest cake to make, and it helps use up leftover egg whites—an anti-waste recipe! ;-))
- A crispy chocolate-praline layer (no baking required, just mix the ingredients)
- And finally, a whipped pistachio ganache.
Now, put on your apron and head to the kitchen to make my pistachio and chocolate delight…
The recipe, Chef!
Pistachio and Chocolate Saint Patrick Cake
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Loading...Ingredients
- Whipped Pistachio Ganache
- 1 sheet of gelatin (2 g)
- 120 g white chocolate
- 60 g + 140 g heavy cream (30% fat content)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1.5 tbsp pistachio paste
- Pistachio Financier
- 170 g sugar
- 100 g ground pistachio
- 50 g flour
- 4 egg whites or about 160 g
- 100 g salted butter
- Crispy Layer
- 40 g milk chocolate
- 80 g praline
- 33 g lace crepes (6 crepes)
- Finishing Touch
- A few unsalted pistachios
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
Whipped Pistachio Ganache
Soak the gelatin sheet in cold water to soften it.
Pour 60 g of cream into a small saucepan and add the honey.
Heat over medium/high heat. Stop as soon as it reaches a boil.
Add the drained gelatin sheet and mix.
Pour in the previously melted white chocolate and stir.
Add the 140 g of cold cream and the pistachio paste, mixing well and scraping the sides of the saucepan with a spatula.
Transfer to a container and cover with plastic wrap in direct contact with the surface (without leaving air bubbles).
Refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
Pistachio Financier
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
Melt the butter over low heat in a saucepan. Set aside.
Pour the dry ingredients (sugar, pistachio flour, and flour) into a bowl.
Gradually add the egg whites while whisking.
When the mixture is smooth, slowly drizzle in the butter while continuing to whisk.
Pour into heart-shaped molds (and add a bit of batter to a mini-financier mold to create the clover stem).
Bake for about 15 minutes (check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer).
Allow to cool slightly before unmolding.
Crispy Layer
Melt the chocolate, add the praline, and mix.
Crumble the lace crepes over the mixture and stir.
Pour into heart-shaped molds (and a mini-financier mold for the clover stem).
Refrigerate.
Assembly
Place the mixing bowl and whisk attachment of your stand mixer in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
Once chilled, pour in the pistachio ganache and whip on high speed while monitoring. You should achieve a firm and thick consistency.
Place the crispy layers on top of the financiers.
Pipe the whipped ganache over the top.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Finishing Touch
Before serving, sprinkle with some roughly chopped unsalted pistachios and a bit of powdered sugar.
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