Toasted Walnut and Chocolate Tart

Contributed By: cawalnut
www.walnuts.org

With its light crunch and orangy zest, this tart will satisfy any chocolate-lover's cravings. This is a prize-winning recipe from a California Walnuts - Culinary Institute of America recipe contest for culinary students.

Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Actual Cooking Time: Less than 15 minutes
Number of Servings: More than 10
Special Features: Make Ahead
Vegetarian
Nutrition Content: Low Sodium
High Fiber
Meal Type: Dessert

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Ingredients

3 cups + 12 halves California walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup Simple syrup, divided use (in a small covered saucepan, simmer 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water for 4 minutes to dissolve crystals)
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
12 ounces Dark Belgian chocolate
1 1/2 cups Heavy cream
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
Zest of 2 large oranges, to candy for garnish

Preparation

Toast walnuts in a 350ºF oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

In a food processor coarsely chop 3 cups walnuts for crust.

Place chopped walnuts in a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the simple syrup and the melted butter, mix well.

Place mixture in a 10 inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom and press into pan with your fingers to form a crust. Put pan in freezer to firm while you complete the next step (about 10 minutes).

Use a knife to break chocolate into small shards.

In a medium saucepan bring cream to a boil, add chocolate and remove from heat. Stir until smooth. Stir in Grand Marnier.

Pour mixture into chilled tart mold and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

In a small nonstick sauté pan, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons simple syrup and the orange zest. Cook over medium heat until most of the water has evaporated and the zest is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan and cool.

To serve, keep chilled until ready to serve. Remove tart from pan. To slice, use a knife dipped in hot water and wiped with a towel. Cut into 12 slices. Garnish slices with powdered sugar-dusted walnut halves and candied orange zest.

Cook's Notes

Plan ahead - the tart must chill for at least 4 hours.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 527 ; Total Fat: 46 g ; Saturated Fat: 18.5 g ; Polyunsaturated Fat: 15.5 g ; Carbohydrates: 26 g ; Protein: 7 g ; Vitamin A: 610 IU ; Vitamin C: 1 mg ; Calcium: 52 mg ; Sodium: 13 mg ; Iron: 1.6 mg ; Fiber: 5 g

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