I love this molten chocolate cake recipe, which I playfully call El Mojado or “the wet one” because the cake is gooey on the inside. It is easy and almost foolproof. On the more serious side, El Mojado also translates as “wetback” and is the name of a well-known song by Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona. Probably the best-known interpretation of the song is by the Mexican supergroup, Los Tigres de Norte. The song recounts the story of an immigrant man who crosses the border but is unable to achieve his dreams and bears the heavy burden of the undocumented, not belonging, and face challenge after challenge. It reminds me of how incredibly lucky I have been.
The Rancho Gordo Stoneground Mexican chocolate I use in the recipe has a unique taste and texture, distinctive from that of the baking chocolate found in a typical American pantry. Made with piloncillo (hence the coarser texture) rather than sugar, the texture is grainier and the chocolate is quite sweet. The addition of cinnamon results in its signature flavor. It is sold in round or sometimes hexagonal tablets.
EL MOJADO
Molten Mexican Chocolate Cake
(Makes 8-10 servings)
BEFORE YOU START:
Bain Marie: a small saucepan with high sides, and a large heat-proof bowl
8-10 individual ramekins
½ oz. ice cream scoop
PRE-ASSEMBLE:
Cake Mix (A)
Ganache (B)
for the rest of the recipe, follow this link
Yukon Gold Vichyssoise
with
Truffle Crème Fraîche
Pair with Etude Carneros Grace Benoist Ranch Chardonnay
BEFORE YOU START:
6” CHEESECLOTH SQUARE FOR SACHET
KITCHEN TWINE TO TIE OFF SACHET
STOCKPOT
DIRECTIONS:
Add the butter, onion, leeks, and sachet of thyme and garlic to a large pot over medium heat
Sweat for 20 minutes, watching carefully so the vegetables and butter do not turn brown.
Add the potato, water, chicken stock, and cream
Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour
Allow cooling enough so you can handle it safely
Remove thyme sachet
for ingredients list & the rest of the recipe, follow this link
Wild Mushroom Shepard’s Pie
Pair with Etude Fiddlestix Pinot Noir
A mix of mushrooms that are wild and cultivated are cooked in Pinot Noir in the style of Beef Bourguignon. There are baby sweet carrots, pearl onions, and parsnips. The vegetables are placed in a Dutch oven and a Yellow Finn potato crust forms over the top as the dish is baked. The golden brown potato crust makes for a compelling presentation.
For ingredients list and recipe. follow this link.