Chocolate & Orange Gemelli with Dark Chocolate Almonds & Brandy-Soaked Cherries

Serving Size: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 lb. Pappardelle's Chocolate & Orange Gemelli
2 egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon fresh vanilla bean, seeded
1/2 cup dark chocolate almonds, roughly chopped
1/4 cup dried cherries, soaked in brandy
1 oz. white chocolate, shaved
Fresh mint sprigs, to taste

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 10-12 mins. Drain and set aside.
In a small saucepan, whisk egg yolks, cream, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla bean seeds together until smooth. Place on medium heat and cook about 8-10 mins., stirring constantly to avoid curdling. Cook until mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, if needed. Set aside.
Toss pasta with orange creme anglaise sauce. Squeeze the excess liquid from cherries and pat dry. Roughly chop the cherries. Place pasta mixture on a plate and garnish with chocolate almonds, cherries and white chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.