If you are a chocolate advocate like me, when you get a hankering for something chocolate it can't just be plain old chocolate. So, when I got a craving for chocolate pudding, one so strong I could have taken someone's arm off for it, I decided to make some real pudding. Real chocolate that is. I gathered up some scraps of previously reviewed chocolate and melted it down.
Please excuse my iPhone pics. I didn't initially intend on blogging about this pudding, but after some choc-gasmic reflecting, I thought I should share it anyway.
I followed a simple recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I melted down Pralus Cuba 75%, Rogue Piura 75%, Mast Brothers Dominican Republic 81%.
Silky Chocolate Pudding
Adapted from John Scharffenberger, via Wednesday Chef
Serves 6
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups whole milk
6 ounces 62% semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used good quality semisweet chocolate chips; use 70% bittersweet if you want more of a dark chocolate kick)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1. Combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt in the top of a double boiler. Slowly whisk in the milk, scraping the bottom and sides with a heatproof spatula to incorporate the dry ingredients. Place over gently simmering water and stir occasionally, scraping the bottom and sides. Use a whisk as necessary should lumps begin to form. After 15 to 20 minutes, when the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon, add the chocolate. Continue stirring for about 2 to 4 minutes, or until the pudding is smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
2. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer (or skip this step if you’re a slacker like me who is absolutely certain that there is nary a lump her puddin’) into a serving bowl or into a large measuring cup with a spout and pour into individual serving dishes.
3. If you like pudding skin, pull plastic wrap over the top of the serving dish(es) before refrigerating. If you dislike pudding skin, place plastic wrap on top of the pudding and smooth it gently against the surface before refrigerating. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days (ahem, good luck with that).
I spent 3 glorious days eating this miracle of chocolate. They were the best days of my life.
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