Tom Hunt

Carrying on the culinary theme, I've got a new favourite chef. An eco-chef called Tom Hunt to be more specific. His cooking slightly reminds me of Jamie Oliver's.  Quite rustic, healthy-ish, lots of herbs and seasonal vegetables.  I'm contemplating making his chocolate torte tonight for Chazy's birthday cake. Not that he likes cake. So it might be a little selfish.  I'll think of it as a practice run for the next time I need to whip up some sort of birthday sensation.

Chocolate Torte with Caramelised Beetroot

"This is a very simple recipe. The chocolate has an incredible velvety texture and is to die for. Beetroot is delicious in the summer and brings seasonality to the dish. The bitterness of the chocolate marries with the earthy notes of the beetroot well.

500ml Double Cream

60g Caster sugar


130g unsalted butter, cut into cubes

560g Divine choctolate, broken into pieces


Cocoa for dusting

20-30cm Baked pastry case

Beetroot, sliced thinly into discs

100g Sugar

 Preheat oven to 150c

Start by boiling the beetroot in advance. Cover with water, add 100g of sugar. Simmer till the beetroot begins to soften and the liquid has reduced to a syrup. Place the slices of beetroot onto a sheet of parchment paper and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes till they go a little chewy. Put aside and leave to cool. Keep the syrup for a garnish.

Bring the double cream, sugar and a good pinch of salt to the boil, remove from the heat. Add the butter and chocolate. Stir gently till just melted and combined.

Pour into the baked pastry shell. Leave to cool and refrigerate. If you have any chocolate left pour them into little glasses to serve as chocolate pots.

When you are ready to serve, dust with cocoa and serve with whipped cream or creme fraiche a slice of beetroot and spoon of the vibrant beetroot syrup.

I'm actually hoping to be able to try his version at the Art cellar this week. Definitely my highlight of the event.  Although I still havent checked my lottery ticket from this friday so I could actually be able to buy lots of lovely paintings after all.      If nothing goes to plan though, ill be quite happing consoling myself with a large bowl of his Babbaganush instead..

www.tomsfeast.com

www.theartcellar.co.uk