WARM DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE (A DESSERT TO DIE FOR!)

Steps:

• -----TOMAKE THE CHOCOLATE PASTRY CREAM-----.
• Place the cornstarch in a small nonstick saucepan.
• Whisk in ¼ cup of the milk until smooth, and then whisk in the remaining ¾ cup milk.
• Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the saucepan, and then add the bean.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg, egg yolk, and sugar.
• Beating constantly add a small amount of the milk mixture to the egg mixture to temper it.
• Beating constantly, add the egg mixture to the milk mixture in the saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until the mixture has thickened.
• Strain through a very fine sieve into a clean bowl.
• Mix in the grated chocolate.
• (NOTE: In other recipes, the sauce may be used/served warm or chilled. Store any extra, unused sauce, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days).
• -----TOMAKE THE WARM CHOCOLATE TORTE-----.
• Spray 4 (4-oz.) ramekins with nonstick spray.
• Lightly dust the interior of the ramekins with confectioners’ sugar.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the egg whites in a medium bowl.
• Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy.
• Gradually add 3 tablespoons of superfine granulated sugar and beat on high speed until the whites are stiff and shiny.
• Fold in the pastry cream.
• Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
• Pipe the mixture into the prepared ramekins, piping in a spiral motion to fill the ramekins halfway.
• Divide the berries over the meringue.
• Pipe 2 additional circles of meringue over the berries.
• Place the ramekins on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the meringue is just set.
• Serve warm.