R.G.'s Restaurant Chocolate Pecan Toffee
Mousse
Crust
1 pound pecan pieces
4 ounces unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 ounces water
Grind pecans in food processor about 45 seconds and place in mixing
bowl. Melt butter completely and add sugar. Keep heating and
stirring until thick smooth paste. Remove from heat and add water,
stirring constantly to create a syrup. Pour mixture over pecans and
mix thoroughly. Butter and flour 2 (12-inch) tart pans. Press pecan
mixture into pans and place in 325 degrees F oven for 10 minutes or
until golden brown. Remove and let cool at room temperature.
Mousse
28 ounces semisweet chocolate
32 ounces heavy whipping cream
2 ounces vegetable oil
In a double boiler, melt chocolate and add vegetable oil. Chocolate
should be smooth and almost liquid. Whip cream to form soft peaks.
Add hot chocolate while stirring constantly (slow speed of hand
mixer will do fine). When chocolate and cream are combined,
refrigerate for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, remove from refrigerator and stir by hand to make
sure mousse is smooth and without lumps. Spoon into pastry bag and
pipe mousse into pecan crust. Refrigerate complete pie.
Sauce
1 pound unsalted butter
3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 quart heavy cream
Melt butter over medium-high heat and add sugar. Stir mixture
frequently. Continue this process until mixture has reached a deep
caramel color. Butter and sugar at this point will be separating. No
problem. Remove from heat and while stirring constantly, slowly add
heavy cream. Caution: When adding the cream, mixture will bubble up
and very hot steam will be released. I suggest using a whisk with a
long handle or wearing an oven mitt. After cream is added, strain
toffee sauce into container and let cool. Sauce is kept refrigerated
and therefore will need to be heated when serving. Yields 2 quarts
sauce.
The Best Part
To serve: Cut pie into 12 to 16 pieces. Serve individually with 2
ounces of Toffee Sauce ladled over. For added pizzazz, top also with
a flourish of fudge sauce and a glob of whipped cream.
Yields 2 (12-inch) pies. Source: R.G.'s
Restaurant, Tampa, Florida |