Pair Swan Lake with a Chocolate Torta Caprese

Editor: Lisa
Zatulovsky

With sinfully
decadent and overpowering forkfuls of dark chocolate, the island of
Capri’s Torta Caprese is a chocolate lover’s match made in
confectionary heaven. This flourless dark chocolate torte comprised
of abundant melted chocolate and crunchy almonds topped with a
dusting of confectioner’s sugar is loaded with rich flavor in every
bight. Although made with few ingredients and little prep time, the
end result is elegant and dramatic with the contrasting bold dark
chocolate and white powdered sugar.

The smooth flavor
and white and black colors of a Torta Caprese are
evocative of the ballet classic Swan Lake. Set to the haunting
score by Peter Tchaikovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa, the
battle between the white and black swan, good and evil, is poetically
danced in this magical ballet.

Frail and
beautiful, the swan queen, Odette first emerges in the second act
transforming into a beautiful woman under the shadow of moonlight.
Dressed in a stiff white tulle tutu with a plunging neckline,
white-feathered headpiece and silver crown, the young Prince
Siegfried instantly falls in love with her. Turned into a swan by the
evil sorcerer Von Rothbart, Odette’s enchantment can only be broken
by the promise of true love. Siegfried eagerly vows to marry Odette
and swears that he will love only her for the rest of his life.

The night after,
Siegfried’s is expected to choose a bride at his grand birthday
celebration. Unable to think of anyone else but Odette, Siegfried
refuses to marry the prospective brides at the ball. Just as he is
about to give up hope, the black swan Odile enters with her father
Von Rothbart. Diguised, Odile bewitches Siegfried with her beauty,
convincing him that she is Odette in order to trick Siegfried into
breaking his vow. Intoxicatingly striking, Siegfried can’t focus on
anything else other than Odile. Completely seduced by her, he swears
before everyone he promises to marry Odile. Odile laughs and runs out
of the ball throwing a bouquet of flowers in his face. She is
triumphant, her task completed. Realizing what he has just done,
Siegfried runs back to Odette and begs her forgiveness.

Back at the
lakeside the ballet culminates with Odette’s heartbreak as she
jumps into the lake to kill herself, knowing that life is not worth
living as an enchanted swan without love. Siegried jumps after her
and their sacrifice and love breaks Rothbart’s spell. They are
united in the after-world and the evil sorcerer has been defeated.

Deliciously
enticing like the torte’s dominant dark chocolate morsel’s,
influences of Odile are bold and powerful like her 32 fouette
turns where she turns on one leg to impress Prince Siegfried. Yet
Odette’s vulnerable tragic nature is shown with subtle hints like
almonds mixed into the torte, with a fragile dusting of white powder,
like the white delicate feather’s on Odette’s tutu.

After taking one
bight of Torta Caprese, you will be spellbound just like
Prince Siegfried when he catches a glimpse of the scintillating black
swan for the first time.

For Torta Caprese
and more recipe go to www.marialiberati.com