Dutch Chocolate Pudding Food

COCOA-CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the sugar and cocoa to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of milk with the cornstarch, vanilla, egg yolks, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture.
• Return the milk-egg mixture to the saucepan and continue to cook, 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.
• Divide the pudding among 4 to 6 small ramekins or dessert cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Serve each pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings.

MOM'S CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk the milk, granulated sugar, cocoa and cornstarch constantly in a nonreactive medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the cocoa has fully dissolved and the mixture starts to simmer, about 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a light gravy, 6 to 7 minutes more. Stir in the chopped chocolate, vanilla and a pinch of salt and continue to cook, whisking, until the chocolate has melted and the pudding is thick and creamy, about 2 minutes more. Remove the pudding from the heat, add the butter and stir until the butter has melted.
• Divide the pudding evenly into six 6- to 8-ounce ramekins or glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight until cold and fully set.
• Before serving, pour the cream and confectioners' sugar into a chilled medium bowl. Whip the cream with a whisk or an electric mixer until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Top each pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped-chocolate garnish if using.

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.

EASY CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa and cornstarch. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into two serving dishes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with whipped topping if desired.

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.

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.