Dark Chocolate Pudding With Pretzels Food

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a bare simmer. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vanilla, salt and egg yolks.
• Slowly pour the milk mixture into the egg mixture to temper it, whisking all the while. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes. Pour in the melted chocolate and whisk until smooth.
• Pour into glasses or custard cups. Refrigerate until chilled and set, about 3 hours. Serve with whipped sour cream, if desired.

CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in double boiler over medium heat on stove top. Using tongs, or your fingers, quickly dip pretzels in chocolate allowing the excess to run off. Place dipped pretzels on waxed paper lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, colored sugars or other toppings. Allow to harden. You may need to refrigerate for a while to help this along. Once hardened, remove from sheets and store in a cool location, with waxed paper between layers.
• Tip: Package pretzels in clear cellophane bags or in vase for festive gift giving!

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a small heatproof bowl, whisk together egg and yolks. Set aside.
• Place chocolate, butter and vanilla extract in a food processor or blender but don't turn on.
• In a medium pot, whisk together milk, cream, brown sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt until smooth. Bring to a full boil, whisking, and let bubble for 1 to 2 minutes to activate cornstarch. At that point, it will start to thicken, and when it does immediately pull the pot off the heat. (You don't want to overboil the cornstarch, which can cause it to thin out again.)
• Pour a little of the hot cornstarch mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly to prevent them from curdling, then pour eggs back into the pan with the remaining cornstarch mixture. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture just returns to a bare simmer (one bubble is plenty). Immediately pour into the food processor or blender. Run the machine until the pudding is very smooth (the hot milk mixture will melt the chocolate).
• Pour into individual bowls or teacups or 1 large decorative bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm and cold, at least 4 hours for individual servings and as many as 8 hours for 1 large bowl. Pudding can be made 3 days ahead. Serve with whipped cream or whipped crème fraîche, decorated with chocolate shavings and a pinch of sea salt, if you like.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup sugar and flour together in a small bowl.
• Mix remaining sugar and egg in another bowl. Add to flour mixture and mix together.
• Heat milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat until warm, about 5 minutes; do not let boil. Stir sugar mixture into milk and cook over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, about 5 minutes, stirring quickly the entire time to ensure it doesn't burn. Let bubble for at least 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Pour pudding into serving bowls, cover, and refrigerate for 8 hours, to overnight.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in chocolate until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool 15 minutes, stirring occasionally., Transfer to a bowl; press plastic wrap onto surface of pudding. Refrigerate until cold. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

DARK CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PRETZELS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave 30 seconds. Stir, then microwave 30 more seconds. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip each pretzel halfway into the chocolate, then place on the wax paper. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.
• Per serving (6 pieces): Calories 100; Fat 5 g (Saturated 3 g); Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 150 mg; Carbohydrate 13 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 2 g Photograph by Jonathan Kantor

CHOCOLATE PUDDING AND PRETZELS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On a sheet tray, gently toss pretzels, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until sugar melts and crystallizes on the pretzels, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa, 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Form a well in the center and slowly whisk in milk over medium heat. This helps prevent the cornstarch from clumping. Bring mixture to a boil to thicken. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk a little of the milk mixture into the egg to temper. Add egg mixture to the pot of milk. Heat over low until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 3 to 5 minutes. Mix in chips until melted and combined well. Pour pudding into ramekins. Chill at least 1 hour. To serve, top with pretzels.

DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIE PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Coat the insides of four 6-ounce ramekins with baking spray and place them in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Add the eggs, sugar and vanilla bean paste to a bowl. With an electric mixer, beat the mixture until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Sift in the cocoa and flour and fold in with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in the melted butter.
• Divide among the ramekins, then add hot water to the casserole dish, coming halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until the edges of the puddings are set but the centers are gooey, about 40 minutes.
• Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the heavy cream to a bowl, then use a hand whisk to whip until light and soft peaks form.
• Serve the puddings in their ramekins with dollops of the fresh whipped cream.