RSSCathy Pollak
Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pudding
Chocolate pudding taken to a new level
The measure of a good cook is not just a proficiency at executing techniques but also the ability to make simple things well. Only a good cook can make rich coffee, a scrumptious soup, and eggs scrambled to perfection. I love taking a recipe in its most basic form and challenging myself to improve its overall flavor and quality.
What could be simpler than making chocolate pudding from scratch? However, when you add ingredients like Valrhona chocolate, cinnamon and espresso powder, you take a straightforward recipe and make it dinner party worthy.
This Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pudding with White Chocolate Whipped Cream has a sophisticated, intriguing and intense chocolate flavor. It is also a gentle reminder of how simple pleasures in the kitchen can be taken to whole new levels of "food nirvana" all with just a few of the right ingredients.
Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pudding
Makes 14 servings.
4 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon table salt
9 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate (70 percent cacao), chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
White Chocolate Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces good quality white chocolate
In a large saucepan whisk milk, sugar, cornstarch, unsweetened cocoa, instant espresso powder, ground cinnamon and table salt together until blended. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a whisk.
Boil 1 minute, continuing to whisk until thickened. Remove from heat.
Add dark chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir until chocolate is melted and the pudding is smooth.
Pour into 14 (2-ounce) espresso cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
For the whipped cream: In a medium sized saucepan, simmer 1 cup heavy cream over medium heat. Pour the hot cream over 4 ounces of chopped good quality white chocolate; stir until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until completely cold. This can be made up to one day ahead.
Before serving, dollop a spoonful of whipped cream on each cup of pudding. Garnish with shavings of dark chocolate.
MORE RECIPES: DESSERT | PASTA | SEAFOOD | WOLFGANG PUCK
- Christmas Braid
- Christmas Apple Pie with Holiday Dried Fruits
- Quick, Easy and Moist Whole Wheat Muffins
- Endlessly Adaptable Rugelach
- Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pudding
- Golden Turmeric Latkes with Applesauce
- Latkes for Hanukkah -- And Holidays Beyond!
- No-Knead Sweet Potato Dinner Roll
- Angel Delights No-Bake Christmas Cookies
- Roast Duck Legs with Caramelized Shallots and Garlic
- Quick Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Party Hors D'oeuvres: A Trio of Cheese Balls
- Lentil Soup for Good Luck and Good Health
- New Orleans Holiday Seafood Gumbo
- Asian Tabouleh Salad: Good Nutrition in Whole Grain Bulgur
- Wolfgang's Caesar Salad
- Cumin Seed Roasted Cauliflower
- Sweet Potato Hash: A Make-Ahead Brunch
- Butternut Squash Risotto with Rosemary, Walnuts and Blue Cheese
- Vegetables from Under the Sea
- Died and Went to Heaven Chocolate Cake
- Simple and Sophisticated Poached Pears
- Sweet and Simple Palmiers
- Five-Spice Cookies with Candied Mandarin Oranges
- Cookbook Gifts for the Holidays
- Incredible Edible Gifts Recipes
- Cranberry-Walnut Quick Bread
- Potato Pancake Frittata: A Twist on a Hanukkah Favorite
- No Time to Bake Bread? Think Again
- Roast Chicken with Rosemary-and-Goat-Cheese Stuffing
- Apple-Pork Ragu with Papardelle
- Keeping Cancer at Bay with Diet
- Sweetening Benefits of Fruit vs Sugar
- Old Fashioned Pecan Pie
- Holiday Dessert Crostini
- Broody and Intense Butterscotch Pie
- Chocolate Panna Cotta
- Pumpkin Chocolate Bread
- Roasted Acorn Squash with Honey-Lime Glazed Pepitas
- 4 Tips for Classic Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
- How to Make Perfect Gravy
- Zen and the Art of Pancake Making
- Making 'Risotto' Without Rice: Sweet Potato Risotto
- Rye Toasting Bread with Cherries and Pumpkin Seeds
- Beurre Blanc: Adaptable Sauce for All Seasons
- Classic Creamy Spinach Dip
- Brighten the Season with Winter Squash
- Slow Cooker Beef Ragout with Rosemary
- Beef Short Ribs: A Fall Classic
- Chinois Stir-Fried Orange Beef With Chilies
- 4 Secrets to a Perfect Casserole
- Easy to Love Aubergine: Baked Stuffed Eggplant
- Autumn Harvest Chicken Salad
- Spicy Chicken Liver Mousse Pate
Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pudding
Copyright © 2011 Tribune Media Services Inc.
GOURMET RECIPES
World-renowned chefs with an extraordinary passion for food share their passion on iHaveNet.com. These chefs make great cooking easier than imagined. Each gourmet recipe features expert advice and an easy-to-make recipe. Exactly what you need to transform your home cooking from acceptable to delectable.
GOURMET RECIPES
World-renowned chefs with an extraordinary passion for food share their passion on iHaveNet.com. These chefs make great cooking easier than imagined. Each gourmet recipe features expert advice and an easy-to-make recipe. Exactly what you need to transform your home cooking from acceptable to delectable.
