Bittersweet Chocolate Petit Pots French Inspired Chocolate Pudding Food

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan whisk together sugar cornstarch, and a pinch salt. Chop chocolate and add to sugar mixture. In a bowl whisk together milk and egg yolks and gradually whisk into chocolate mixture. Bring mixture just to boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute, whisking. Remove pan from heat and whisk in butter, vanilla, 1-ounce cacao nibs, and1 tablespoon Kahlua. Divide pudding between 4 (8-ounce) ramekins. Chill puddings in freezer, surfaces covered with plastic wrap, until cooled, about 30 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream and crystallized ginger.

EXTRA-BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a heavy saucepan, bring cream and milk to a boil. Remove from heat; whisk in chopped chocolate until smooth.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the yolks, sugar and salt. Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot chocolate into yolks. Strain through a very fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl.
• Divide mixture among 2- to 4-ounce espresso cups or small ramekins. Set filled cups in a large roasting pan that has been positioned on center rack of oven. Add hot tap water to pan, halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with foil; use a fork to prick holes in foil.
• Bake until edges are lightly set (lifting foil to check) but center is still jiggly - it will set as it cools - 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer cups to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving with crème fraîche or whipped cream.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PUDDING PIE WITH CRèME FRAîCHE TOPPING

Steps:

• Crust:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Blend cookie crumbs and sugar in processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides (not rim) of 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bake until crust begins to set and no longer looks moist, pressing gently with back of fork if crust puffs, about 12 minutes. Remove crust from oven, then sprinkle chopped chocolate over bottom of crust. Let stand until chocolate softens, 1 to 2 minutes. Using offset spatula or small rubber spatula, spread chocolate over bottom and up sides of crust to cover. Chill crust until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
• Filling:
• Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt to blend in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add 1/3 cup milk, whisking until smooth paste forms. Whisk in remaining milk, then 1/4 cup cream. Using flat-bottom wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir mixture constantly over medium heat, scraping bottom and sides of pan until pudding thickens and begins to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Add chocolate; stir until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in rum and vanilla. Pour hot pudding into crust and spread evenly. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap; chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.
• Topping:
• Using electric mixer, beat crème fraîche, whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl just until stiff peaks form and mixture is thick enough to spread (do not overbeat or mixture may curdle). Spread topping decoratively over top of pie, swirling to create peaks, if desired. DO AHEAD: Pie can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.
• Sprinkle chocolate shavings decoratively atop pie, if desired. Cut pie into wedges and serve.
• * Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

PETIT POT AU CHOCOLAT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil.
• Warm the cream with the vanilla bean and seeds to just before boiling, whisking to disperse the seeds. Remove from heat, cover and let infuse for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the chocolate in the milk. Beat together the egg yolks and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Add the chocolate mixture and the vanilla cream and blend thoroughly. Pass through a fine mesh sieve and pour into 4 4-ounce ramekins or 6 3-ounce porcelain espresso cups.
• Place the ramekins in an 8-inch baking pan. Fill the pan with enough hot water to rise halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake in the oven until slightly puffed and spongy, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the pan to cool. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Bring back to room temperature before serving.