Chocolate Mint Napoleon

* Exported from MasterCook II *

Chocolate Mint Napoleon*

Recipe By : Shane Gorringe, The Grill Room, Windsor Court Hotel
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Chocolate
Desserts And Sweets

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
Mint Sauce:
6 Tablespoons Green Creme De Menthe
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Vanilla Bean -- split lengthwise
Mousse:
2 Large Egg Yolks
1/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Whipping Cream -- chilled
6 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate -- finely chopped
1/4 Cup Clear Creme Do Cacao
1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter -- at room temperature
Chocolate Barke:
2 Ounces Clear Hard Peppermint Candies
12 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate -- finely chopped

For sauce: Combine creme de menthe and sugar in small saucepan. Scrap in
seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Stir over medium heat until sugar
dissolves.
For Mousse: Whisk yolk and 1/4 cup sugar in small bowl to blend. Bring 1/4
cup cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Gradually whisk hot creme into
egg mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir constantly over
medium-low heat until custard thickens, about 1 minute (DO NOT BOIL). Reduce
heat to low. Add chocolate, creme do cacao and butter and stir until smooth.
Pour into large bowl. Chill until cool, stirring occasionally, about 15
minutes. Beat 1/2 cup cream in small bowl to stiff peaks. Fold cream into
chocolate mixture. Cover and chill.
For Chocolate Bark: Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Finely grind
mints in food processor. Place half of chocolate in top of double boiler set
over simmering water. Stir until candy thermometer registers 115 degrees.
Pour onto 1 prepared sheet. Using spatual, spread chcolate to 1/16-inch
thickness over parchment. Spinkle half of ground candies over half of
chocolate. Fold parchment in half to seal candies in chocolate. Repeat with
remaining chocolate and candies. Cover and chill 1 to 24 hours.
Peel parchment off chocolate bark. Break or cut each sheet of bark into 6
irregular pieces, reserving any small pieces for garnish. Place 1 bark piece
on plate. Spread scant 1/3 cup mousse over bark. Place another bark piece
atop mousse. Spread scant 1/3 cup mousse over. Top with another bark piece.
Place dollop of mousse atop chocolate and top with any smaller bark pieces,
standing pieces upright. Repeat with remaining bark and mousse. (Can be
made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill.) Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Serve napoleons with mint sauce.
My note: The picture of this recipe shows the napoleons sitting atop the
mint sauce which has been carefully spooned in swirls on to the plate.

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NOTES : Bon Appetit, September 1994, pg. 72