Classic Chocolate Pudding Food

CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Put 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the sugar, and the cocoa in a nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a simmer, over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of the milk, cornstarch, salt, egg yolks, and vanilla in a bowl. Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Return to the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat whisking constantly, until the pudding comes to a full boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and continue whisking until thick, about 2 or 3 minutes more.
• Pour the pudding into 6 small cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight until set.
• Just before serving pour the cream into a chilled bowl. Whip the cream with a whisk or a hand held mixer, and continue beating until soft peaks form. Take care not to over-beat the cream or it will be grainy. Serve each pudding with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Spread out the chocolate in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan and melt over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Mix the starch and 1/4 cup milk in a cup or small bowl, making sure the starch is well dispersed.
• When the chocolate is melted, stir in the rest of the milk, the cream, and the sugar; raise heat to high-medium and cook, stirring repeatedly with a rubber spatula, until steam is starting to rise (it will not yet be at a simmer, and will not have a skin on top). Remove from heat.
• Give the starch a stir to re-disperse it, then pour it in, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and cook, stirring constantly across the bottom and around the sides of the pan, until the pudding thickens and the first bubble or two appears -- there should be no raw starch taste any more.
• Without cooling or stirring further, immediately pour the pudding into 3 1-cup custard cups. Set them on a rack to cool, then cover each one with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold and firm.

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Spoon into individual serving dishes. Chill until serving. If desired, garnish with whipped cream and M&M's.

CHOCOLATE PUDDINO

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips, salt, and cayenne in a heat-proof measuring cup; set aside.
• Separate eggs by cracking one egg into your hand over a bowl. Open your fingers slightly and gently jiggle your hand until the egg white falls into the bowl below. Transfer the yolk to a skillet. Repeat with remaining eggs. Reserve egg whites for another use.
• Add sugar, milk, and cream to egg yolks. Whisk thoroughly, breaking egg yolks first, until well combined.
• Place skillet on the stove over medium or medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a silicone spoon, until very hot and thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5 minutes. An instant-read thermometer should read at least 175 degrees F (79 degrees C). Remove from the heat.
• Set a fine sieve over the bowl of reserved chocolate. Strain the custard sauce into the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until chocolate has melted and custard sauce is smooth and shiny, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and butter; stir until butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Pour warm custard sauce into 6 serving glasses. Tilt each glass and rotate it around so the warm chocolate coats another 1/2 inch of the glass. Cover with plastic and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled, at least 3 to 4 hours.
• Combine cream and vanilla extract for topping in a metal bowl and whisk until thickened; make sure no peaks form. Spoon cream into the glasses, then tilt and twirl to coat the sides a bit.
• Garnish with shaved chocolate and serve.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt with whisk. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until pudding boils and is thickened. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 2 minutes longer.
• Remove from heat; gently stir in butter and vanilla until butter is melted. Pour into large bowl; cover surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin from forming. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm, or refrigerate until serving time. Garnish with whipped cream.