Chocolate Cake With Salted Basil Ganache

marisk's Note:

FoodNetwork.com: Chef Stephanie Izard Top Chef, Season 4, Episode 7. The ingredient Fromage blanc with fat content may be added to hot liquids to make a sauce that will not curdle. It can also be whipped for increased volume.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

CAKE

• 1/2 lb bittersweet chocolate
• 2 ounces butter
• 1 bunch basil, rough chopped
• 2 egg whites
• 2 1/2 ounces sugar
• 7 egg yolks
• cooking spray
• butter, for baking

FILLING

• 1 cup fromage blanc
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• zest of one lemon
• juice of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon sugar

GANACHE

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 bunch basil
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1 pinch salt

LEMON REDUCTION

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zest of
• 1/3 cup sugar

POMEGRANATE REDUCTION

• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 lemon, juice of
• handful basil
• 1/2 lemon, zest of

Directions:

1. CAKE: Melt chocolate and butter with basil over water bath. Meanwhile, whisk whites until soft peaks and add in sugar and whisk until stiff peaks. When chocolate has melted, let cool for one minute.
2. Set a bowl strainer over the yolks and push chocolate through with spatula. Whisk chocolate and yolks together to combine and fold in whites. Spray 1/4 sheet with oil cooking spray and add in butter. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool.
3. FILLING: Whisk all ingredients together.
4. GANACHE: Heat cream with basil. Strain and whisk into chocolate. Season with salt.
5. LEMON REDUCTION: Reduce ingredients together until syrupy.
6. POMEGRANATE REDUCTION: Reduce ingredients to syrupy consistency and strain.