Chocolate Almond Torte

I have been trying to make things that are fairly simple and that have basic ingredients. I suppose this sounds exotic, but really it is just a fairly fool proof way of making a cake. The original recipe apparently came from Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking, so it made sense to make it for Tim’s birthday.

You’ll Need:

1 Cup ground almonds

4 eggs

7 oz (200 gms) chocolate, either semi-sweet or bitter

11 Tbs (150 gms) butter

¾ Cup sugar

½ tsp vanilla

¼ tsp cream of tartar

1. Make sure to have all ingredients at room temperature
2. Pre-heat oven to 375° F (190°C)
3. Grease & dust a 8”springform pan (or whatever you have)
4. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler or in a saucepan suspended over boiling water. Allow to cool.
5. Separate eggs. Beat egg whites with ½ cup sugar until light.
6. Add chocolate and vanilla to chocolate. Fold in ground almonds
7. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add tartar until it forms soft peaks. Sprinkle in last ¼ cup sugar and beat well.
8. Fold ¼ of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in the rest of the whites just until they are incorporated.
9. Pour into prepared pan. Cool 45 – 50 minutes. Release from the sides with a knife, but cool in the pan.