Monday, February 14, 2011

Double Chocolate Pudding


Happy Valentine's Day to my love who is 2500 miles away!!  

Oh, how I wish I was with you, waking to the tropical trade winds and swaying palms in the shadow of Diamond Head...  We could have enjoyed lunch at Kona Brewing Company, appreciating a brew or two with our Spinach Strawberry Salad and a Kohala Pizza before strolling along the beach, stopping to catch a few waves in the Waikiki surf prior to sunning ourselves like turtles on the warm sand.  After a much needed afternoon nap, dinner at Roy's would have topped off our evening culminating with that tantalizing Chocolate Soufflé that we love so much!

I received this text yesterday afternoon...  OOOhhh!!! SO jealous!!

Unfortunately work has once again taken my guy away on St. Valentine's Day, this time to the shores of Waikiki.  However, after 19 years of his travels for work (ex-military turned airline pilot), we are pretty much used to it.  We have come to the conclusion that holidays really don't need to be celebrated on a certain day just because the calendar says so.  My son never knew the difference when Santa arrived on the 26th one year or on the 23rd the next.  Birthdays were the most difficult for the kids, but even they are not as bothered as they used to be now that they are getting older... the celebration is when we are all together, and that's the important part.

As for Valentine's Day, we really don't celebrate this one in a big way anyway, Mr. and Mrs. Romance we are not.  However, this year we marked the day on his one full day off in between trips with a nice flank steak and all of us together.  Needing something chocolate to top it off, Liv and I turned to an old favorite, Double Chocolate Pudding, a recipe from Food and Wine first published in 1987, then republished in 2008.

Silky and luscious, this lower in calorie treat is just the thing to curb your sweet tooth or chocolate craving.  Filled with dark chocolate we feel we are getting a good dose of those precious antioxidants along with a serving of calcium from the milk and protein from the eggs.  Almost a health food, I think!  ;)  Easy to put together and pretty in little cups, this pudding is a winner year round for kids and adults alike.




Double-Chocolate Pudding, '87
adapted from Richard Sax, Food & Wine Magazine

1 3/4 cups skim milk (see note)
1/2 cups whipping cream or half and half
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large egg
1 large egg yolks
5 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lightly whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Chocolate decorations (optional... we used Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Hearts)

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of the milk and 1/2 cup whipping cream with 1/4 cup of the sugar and the salt and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the unsweetened cocoa powder and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until blended. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of milk and whisk until smooth. Whisk this mixture into the hot milk in the saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, whisking constantly, until the pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk the whole egg with the egg yolk. Gradually whisk about 1 cup of the hot cocoa pudding into the eggs until thoroughly incorporated, then scrape the pudding back into the saucepan. Cook the pudding over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until it just comes to boil, about 2 minutes.

Strain the pudding into a medium heatproof bowl. Add the chopped chocolate, butter and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate and butter are melted and incorporated and the pudding is smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pudding to ramekins or other serving bowls or cups and refrigerate until chilled. (If you're not in a hurry, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding in the bowl and refrigerate.) Serve with lightly whipped cream.

Note:  On occasion I have made this pudding with all skim milk with good success (attempted due to the fact that that was all that I had on hand!).  The original recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups whole milk, but we don't use whole milk, and I add varying amounts of cream or half and half to add an amount of richness to the dessert.


62 comments:

  1. Absolutely spectacular, Kim. These are soooo decadent! I'm not a pudding person but OMG, I want some of this ASAP. I hope you had a fabulous weekend and tell your hubby others are jealous of his current locale! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours, Kim :-)

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  2. Love everything...dessert, photos and post:)
    Lovely treats.
    Can't wait to see Oahu again ....
    Thanks for the post:)

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  3. What a yummy pudding! I am so sorry to hear that your hubby is out of town but this sure would make me feel better!

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  4. MMM this pudding would make Yannick very excited! I agree, the holiday is when you celebrate it. It's not up to the calendar! I'm glad you all got to celebrate it together even if it's not today. I'm jealous I want to be by a nice warm ocean! Preferably on Oahu!

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  5. This pudding looks soooo good! Sweet post!

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  6. The difference between you and me is that I would have used my tongue to lick that bowl clean. You kept it classy. Good for you!

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  7. There is only one thing that is better than chocolate and that is double chocolate! This chocolate pud sounds so divine I think I'd have to lick the bowl :)

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  8. The travelling is heck. But like you said, holidays can be celebrated anytime! I am sure he will enjoy this when he returns! Looks gorgeous! Have a lovely day :)

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  9. Such a decadent looking dessert! I love pudding, it's so simple yet perfect! Happy Valentines to you!

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  10. I love chocolate pudding. This one looks spectacular!

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  11. Ooh. This looks so good. I'm thinking about making a similar dessert with coffee--some day but not today. LOL

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  12. delicious looking pudding lovely pictures

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  13. Double Chocolate pudding sounds good to me. Don't you just love Trader Joe's? I do;) Happy Valentine's Day!

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  14. yeah, sticking to a precise date is not important...having this double chocolate pudding is! My hubby is the chocolate lover of the family so he would totally want it!

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  15. this looks dreamy! sorry to hear your missing your love on Valentine's Day! that picture is gorgeous! Your absolutely right...what matters is the meaning of the day, not what the calendar says! happy valentines day!

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  16. Oh yum! I would definitely have to ration myself on this one. I still think that you should have sneaked on the plane and come with him. Next time you guys are here we are going to either Alan Wongs (upscale but expensive) or 12th Avenue Grill (neighborhood but more affordable).

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  17. So maybe your pudding doesn't have Nutella in it, but it looks just as delectable and delicious to me. I certainly wouldn't mind eating a bowl or two of this and only you could manage to make chocolate pudding look sexy :o) Happy Valentine's Day Kim!

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  18. Oh, boy, does this look marvelous!!! Perfect for Valentine's Day or ANY day :)

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  19. What a tempting treat! Looks chocolaty and so yum...

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  20. I have to say...that's the most scrumptious picture of pudding I have ever seen. And I'm not typically a sweets kinda girl. Love it!

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  21. Kim, that looks delish! Oh how I love a good puddin'!

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  22. WOW! your pudding looks so decadent and chocolaty. I'm jealous!

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  23. I need sun! The picture made me day dream of the time my husband and I took a trip to the Caribbean. Mmmm and chocolate pudding. Yum!

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  24. Wow! Chocolate, the beach, and your words...this post made me smile! I'm sorry that the two of you are apart on this holiday, but I know you are together in spirit! Thank you for sharing such a rich and lusciuos pudding recipe. I need chocoalte now!

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  25. Last picture described pudding the best :)) It sounds and looks really delicious

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  26. Wow! Absolutely delicious. I am drooling

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  27. Looks delicious! I recently attempted some vanilla pudding that just did not end up tasting as good as I'd hoped...maybe I should give this chocolate recipe a shot. Chocolate does make everything better, after all. :)

    Happy Valentine's Day, and thanks for sharing!

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  28. I love how your husband teases you with those photos! And I agree, we should necessarily celebrate certain holidays on the exact day it says, but as long as we have eachother on any other day, that's good enough for me! This pudding looks ultra delicious and easy!

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  29. Hi Kim-Sorry you and your love were apart on Valentine's Day. You can make this again for the return:)Luscious chocolate is tempting me...yum!

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  30. That might just be the richest-looking pudding I've ever seen!

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  31. oh wow, looks gorgeous- I could just inhale that pudding within seconds!

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  32. What a sensational chocolate treat! So irresistible. We must have been on the same wavelength with our double chocolate desserts!

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  33. Wow. That spoon had me sold. Looks delicious!

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  34. hi Kim
    did I mention I love Chocolate pudding, do you know how long its been since i have had homemade....sigh
    Yours looks incredible!
    Congrats on your top 9 today!
    Dennis

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  35. I want to dive into my screen right now. OMG it looks so delicious!

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  36. congrats on your top 9!

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  37. I think Chocolate Pudding may be my all-time favorite dessert...preferably served warm, but I actually like it cold after the skin forms on top too. This recipe looks SO good!

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  38. I love the way you think...of course, Double Chocolate Pudding is health food! Congratulations on a well-deserved place in the Top 9!

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  39. I'd been avoiding reading this post because I knew the pudding was gong to be so decadent. I'm still trying to lose my holiday 5lbs and I LOVE chocolate pudding. When I saw it in the Top 9, I could avoid it no longer. Congrats!

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  40. Yum, chocolate pudding is so lovely. I love the idea of topping it with chocolate hearts.
    Congratulations on your top 9!

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  41. Yum. I want to make this. Congrats on top 9.

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  42. Looks delicious. Congrats on the Top 9.

    We invite you to share this post and some of your favorite posts on Food Frenzy.
    Please check out our community at http://blogstew.net/foodfrenzy

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  43. What a luscious incredible looking chocolate pudding! An excellent dessert! My husband was also away, always is every year for Valentine's day :)

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  44. Your pictures are wonderful!
    i am sure this tastes just as delicious as it looks!

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  45. Wow! Am loving your beautiful blog! So many yummy recipes and I'm jealous of your fresh, in season CA produce! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and I look forward to reading yours!

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  46. I am always up for double chocolate anything!

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  47. This is a beautiful post, Hawaii, chocolate pudding and a lovely message of love. Happy belated Valentine's day;-)

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  48. Oh how I Love this recipe! It has so much to love i don't know where to begin:)

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  49. Chocolate with more chocolate...Heaven.

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  50. Oh boy, Oh boy. This is so sinful- I love it!!

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  51. So sorry about the separation, but wow did poppa have something to come home to. Decadent!

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  52. I know I already commented on your blog for this post but..
    You have an award waiting for you here: http://ravienomnoms.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/day-5-of-detox-and-awards/

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  53. Haha! Kim! This must be your week for awards! Ditto! I love visiting your blog for ideas and excellent commentary! This post shows your grace and style in dealing with traveling spouses, holiday treats, and beautiful photos ... truly deserving! Check out the link below to see if you'd like to accept and pass it forward to some of your fave bloggers. Congrats! And keep up your good work!


    http://thespicegarden.blogspot.com/2011/02/well-hoop-de-doo-thanks-chris-and-amy.html#comments

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  54. Your pudding looks amazing! Sorry your honey was not able to be there on Valentine's Day. Hopefully you have a belated celebration planned. Enjoy the holiday weekend!!

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  55. Kim, this pudding is spectacular. I can't believe it looks as rich as it does with skim milk. Kudos to you for pulling off richness without the fat and calories. Of course, there's that whole chocolate thing going on, but it does look fantastic. :)

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  56. Hey I love it very nice, I just first time seen this double chocolate pudding heart shape cakes.very yummy look.

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  57. my husband is a flyer too but not civil airlines...i know wht you talking about!

    this pudding reads and looks superb...truly decadent and befits the Vday!!

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  58. Oh man this chocolate pudding looks so delcious! Perfect for Valentines day or any day of the year! Yum! :)

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  59. Chocolate puddings are extremely nice. It is my favourite too. This is a Double Chocolate pudding I am sure this will taste much better than normal puddings. I will try this at my home and serve to my friends.

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