Sunday, May 4, 2014

Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry-Red Moscato Sorbet and Moscato Zabaglione for a National Moscato Day #SundaySupper with Gallo Family Vineyards

Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry-Red Moscato Sorbet and Moscato Zabaglione for a National Moscato Day #SundaySupper with Gallo Family Vineyards




In a moment of self-evaluation, I must admit I'd love to be a cook at a fine dining establishment if money wasn't a concern-not the chef because I wouldn't want the responsibilities that accompany the title. There are several reasons I have yet to achieve it but you might say it's a long term goal. I realized this fact after examining many of the dishes I have produced here. I always attempt to present my food in a manner that an expensive restaurant would be proud to serve to a customer. Sometimes I get close; often I don't. It's a continual process of learning by trial and error.

I am also like many savory chefs because I don't prepare many desserts and it isn't a skill that is utilized often. I attempted to produce a gourmet dessert last summer for #SundaySupper, however I was happy with the flavors but not its presentation. It's one of the reasons I enlisted the assistance of Jenni Field of Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online for this dish.

What inspired it in the first place? Quite simply, Gallo Family Vineyards and their celebration of National Moscato Day, which is this upcoming Friday, May 9th. Did you know that Gallo Family Vineyards produces three Moscato wines: red, white and pink? I recommend checking them out. If you're unsure of where to find Gallo wines, they have a convenient store locator and to incentivize you, Gallo has provided a $1 digital coupon. Please also check out Gallo Family Vineyards on facebook, twitter, instagram and YouTube. Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.



Let's discuss the dish for a moment. Since Gallo Family Vineyards sells three Moscato wines, I thought I'd use all three in one composed dish. Olive oil cakes have fascinated me because I find the flavor to be rather muted and was curious to see if it was able to stand on its own. The recipe I adapted used Vin Santo, but I substituted the white Moscato. I also need to note here that Chef Field assisted me in adapting the recipe that served eight to ten using a nine-inch springform pan to individualized portions. As my title suggests, I used the red Moscato in the sorbet and the pink Moscato in the zabaglione. Speaking of a zabaglione, I had never heard of it until I learned that the French call it a sabayon. It's often served in a cocktail glass but I decided to use it as a sauce for this dish. Additionally, Chef Field also identified the tuile. I used one because I think it gives a dessert an elegant presentation and I wanted the experience baking them.

The Challenge

Earlier this year, I prepared a spicy dish to pair with Gallo Family Vineyard's white Moscato so I wanted to use Moscato in a dessert dish to exhibit its versatility, in addition to attempting a fine dining presentation.

The Source

I adapted the sorbet from Dish with Clarissa, the zabaglione from epicurious and the tuile from allrecipes.com. With the help of Chef Field, I adapted the Apple & Olive Oil Cake recipe I found on pages 232-234 of Cook Like A Rock Star by Anne Burrell with Suzanne Lenzer.

Ingredients

For the sorbet:
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 pounds strawberries (thawed, if frozen)
1 1/2 cups Gallo Family Vineyards Red Moscato
Juice from 1 lime

For the tuile:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

For the cake:
5 large egg yolks
7 large egg whites
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Zest from 1 lemon
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Gallo Family Vineyards White Moscato
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch kosher salt
Cooking spray

For the zabaglione:
6 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup Gallo Family Vineyards Pink Moscato

Sliced strawberries and sifted confectioner's sugar, for garnish

Method

1. Prepare the sorbet: Combine the water and sugar into a small saucepan and place over medium low heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat to create a simple syrup. Blend together the simple syrup and the remaining sorbet ingredients. Once smooth, pass the sorbet base through a sieve to remove any seeds(an offset spatula might be needed to speed up the process), then add to your ice cream machine and use according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once finished set aside in the freezer until the other components are finished. I recommend preparing this a day or two before serving to give the sorbet time to fully solidify.


2. Prepare the tuile batter: Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium high setting. Add the egg whites one at a time, then the vanilla. Lower the speed on the mixer to medium and beat in the flour and cocoa until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

3. Bake the tuile: While the batter rests, preheat the oven to 325° Fahrenheit and make a stencil out of cardboard. (I cut out a triangle but you can use any shape you desire.) Once the batter has rested, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place the stencil on the baking mat (parchment) and place a small dollop of batter in the middle. Use an off-set spatula to evenly spread the batter so it is thin and reaches the edges of the stencil. Repeat this process to make more tuiles. Place in the oven and bake until the edges are slightly browned, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. The tuiles are pliable while hot and may be draped over a rolling pin to harden and cool for a more dramatic presentation. This can be done earlier in the day the dessert is served.


4. Prepare the cake batter: Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit Combine the egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a whisk until it thickens, is pale and doubles in size, then whisk in the olive oil, Moscato and flour in that order. Set aside. In a separate bowl, use a mixer's whisk attachment to beat the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the original bowl, one-third of the whites at a time.


5. Bake the cake: Drop a circle of parchment into each space of a muffin pan then spray each with the cooking spray. Fill each muffin space up to 3/4 of the way full with the cake batter and bake in the oven for 20 to 22 minutes or until the cake registers an internal temperature of 200° Fahrenheit. Chef Field recommends allowing the cakes to cool in the pan upside down to prevent them from collapsing.


6. Prepare the zabaglione and finish the dish: While the cake is resting, prepare the zabaglione. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large metal bowl, then gradually whisk in the Moscato. Set the metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (Ensure the water does not touch the metal bowl.) and continue to whisk the mixture until thick, foamy and the mixture reaches 160° Fahrenheit. To plate, spoon some zabaglione onto a plate, place the cake onto the zabaglione, and spoon some sorbet off on one side of the cake, then garnish with a tuile, strawberries and sifted powdered sugar.


Successful?

Unfortunately, I am unable to judge whether or not the dish would be suitable to be served at a fine dining restaurant, but I hope I was able to display Moscato's versatility. I'd also like to express a sincere gratitude towards Chef Field for her assistance with this dish.

Happy Moscato Day!

Before you go, please check out the other bloggers celebrating the holiday in this week's #SundaySupper event:

Appetizers and Mains:
Beverages, Breakfast, and Sweets:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.





22 comments:

  1. It sure looks like fine dining quality to me. You really did great with this challenge. I'd love all the components by themselves and put together is a triple bonus!

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  2. I love how you used all three wines in one dish! Very creative!

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  3. Yummy! What a cute little cake and a perfect combination to go with Moscato wine! I love your recipe!

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  4. You are so very talented. I love each and every addition. You really went above and beyond with this post. Great work!

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  5. Loved hearing about your goals and can't wait to watch you achieve them! Love this desserts!!

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  6. I love the care and concern you take to prepare each dish. Your efforts really show!

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  7. WHat a combo, it looks simply divine!! Mmmmm

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  8. Looks pretty good to me! I like the sound of that sorbet!

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  9. I could just say ditto to Courtney - took the words right out of my typing fingers!

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  10. Wow! What a stunning plate of desserts! I'm especially loving the sorbert.

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  11. I think you succeeded! I'd order this while dining out!!

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  12. What a lovely, high-end, looking dish! Love the photo too :)
    Renee - Kudos Kitchen

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  13. Oh, DB! I sooo see you cooking and creating gourmet creations professionally. You are so very qualified as exemplified by your cake, sorbet, zabaglione and tuile! Perhaps I am an eternal optimist but I pray there is a way for you to make your dreams come true...There is always the lottery =) In the meantime, thank you for sharing your expertise with all of us =)

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  14. Lovely job, DB! I barely helped at all--this was all your creativity, but I'm glad you found some of my advice helpful, and I do appreciate the shout out! Now, can I have some cake please? And sorbet? And zabaglione? =)

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  15. You enlisted the help of one of my favorite peeps. Jenni is amazing!

    I love that you incorporated all of the moscatos into this one dish. Kudos DB!!!

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  16. Wow! What an impressive dessert. You put a lot of work into this and it shows! I bet those olive oil cakes are nice and light, especially with those eggs. Would have loved to try this all but I bet your wife enjoyed it.

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  17. Oh this looks so delicate and delicious!

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  18. I agree that presentation is key, even just at home. It takes something special like this and make its even more special. Such a pretty presentation, DB!

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  19. Beautiful! I love strawberries and moscato together. That's awesome that you were able to incorporate all three wines into your dish, good job!

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  20. There is so much I love about this post, DB. First off, Chef Jennie Field is a rock star so kudos to you for reaching out to her for help. You'd fit right in at any expensive restaurant because you have incredible culinary skills. I think you get it right more often than not ;) And bravo for making dessert! This looks amazing and I'm not just saying that because we're friends! I haven't even attempted making things like sorbet, zabaglione and tuile. I DO love making olive oil cake so I hope you enjoyed making and eating this one. This is so impressive. It's gorgeous!

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  21. The attention to detail in this dish is remarkable. It's one of those dishes you want to gaze at before sticking a spoon in.

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