Chocolate Custard Corn Pone Food

EASY CORNPONE

Steps:

• Put a large cast-iron skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk the cornmeal, oil, warm water and salt together in a large bowl until combined. The batter will be a little thicker than pancake batter, so it is easy to scoop with a spoon.
• Remove the hot skillet from the oven and add the remaining tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat. Spoon the batter into the skillet, making 7 to 8 ovals (each about 1/3 cup). Flatten the tops a bit with the back of the spoon. It is fine if the ovals touch slightly.
• Bake until the ovals are golden on the bottom and firm on top, about 40 minutes. Serve with butter and molasses or honey if using.

CHOCOLATE CUSTARD CORN PONE

Steps:

• For the corn bread: Melted butter or nonstick vegetable spray for greasing pan. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Line it with a disk of parchment paper or buttered waxed paper. Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler over barely simmering water or in a small bowl set over a saucepan of just simmering water. Remove from the heat. Put the flour, cornmeal, sugar, chile powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and stir together with a whisk. Stir in the eggs and buttermilk, then stir in the chocolate mixture. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until set and a tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Break the corn bread into 1-inch chunks. Spread in a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• For the custard: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over barely simmering water or in a small bowl set over a saucepan of just simmering water. Remove from the heat. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the milk, cream, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and bring to a scald. Meanwhile, put the remaining sugar (1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons) and the egg yolks in a large bowl and whisk just to blend. While gently whisking the yolks, drizzle the hot cream mixture into them so that they are gradually warmed up. Whisk in the melted chocolate. Using a fine sieve, strain the custard over the corn bread chunks. Wiggle the chunks around so they are well soaked. Place the baking dish in a roasting pan and add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the custard is set.

CHOCOLATE CORNPONE WITH HOT MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with a disk of parchment paper.
• Place chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water and stir until melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, chili powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the eggs and buttermilk and then stir in the melted chocolate. Scrape batter into the prepared pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack.
• Once the bread is cool, break into 1-inch chunks and spread in the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish.
• Whisk together the sugar and yolks in a large bowl until pale. Whisk in the melted chocolate, milk, cream, and vanilla extract until combined.
• Using a fine sieve, strain the custard over the bread chunks. Press on the bread chunks so that they are soaked in the custard mixture. Place the pan in a roasting pan and fill the roasting pan halfway with hot water. Bake for 40 minutes or until the custard is set. Remove and let cool on a rack for 30 minutes before serving. This is best served warm. Spoon into bowls and drizzle with the Hot Mexican Chocolate Sauce.
• Bring heavy cream and cinnamon sticks to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks, add the chocolate and sugar, and cook over low heat until the chocolate is completely melted. Stir in the almonds and transfer to a small pitcher. Keep hot.;

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt. In a thin stream, whisk in the milk until smooth. In a thin stream, whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a saucepan. Over medium heat, whisking the mixture constantly, bring to a boil. Boil gently for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the bittersweet chocolate and vanilla. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes, rest the saucepan on top, and add cold water to cover the ice cubes. Let the mixture cool, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Fold in the white chocolate and pour the mixture into 1-cup ramekins, cups, or mugs. Refrigerate until well chilled. The recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance. Serve cold.

EASY CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Steps:

• Beat eggs and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until combined; set aside.
• Whisk milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, brandy, and salt together in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling and thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Slowly pour 1/2 of the milk mixture into the beaten eggs while stirring; pour mixture back into the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not boil.
• Let custard cool to room temperature, at least 10 minutes. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.