Chocolate Pots de Creme
End a special-occasion dinner on a memorable note by serving these little pots of cream.
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1 4-ounce package sweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 tsp sugar
3 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 recipe Caramelized Shards (optional) (see below)
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In a heavy small saucepan combine the half-and-half or light cream, chocolate, and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat about 10 minutes or until mixture reaches a full boil and thickens.
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Gradually stir about half of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Return all of the egg yolk mixture to the saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture into 4 or 6 pots de creme cups or small dessert dishes. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours. If desired, top with Caramelized Shards.
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Makes 4 to 6 servings. (Nutrition facts are without shards.)
Caramelized Shards
- Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon slivered almonds onto prepared foil. Bake in preheated oven 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly toasted. Meanwhile, place 1/3 cup sugar in a heavy 10-inch skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occasionally to heat sugar evenly. Do not stir. When sugar begins to melt, reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 minutes more or until sugar is melted and lightly golden, stirring as needed with a wooden spoon. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon hot water. Immediately pour over nuts on hot baking sheet. Let cool for 1 minute. Using 2 forks, gently pull caramel as thinly as possible, lifting up slightly as you pull. Let cool thoroughly on foil. Break into pieces; store tightly covered up to 3 days.
Servings: 4
Preparation time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Source: Better Homes and Gardens®
Copyright 2002. Meredith Corp.