Budino al Cioccolato— Fancy Name for Chocolate Pudding

For a few years now a group of us have been participating in a progressive dinner right around the closest Saturday for Valentine's Day.  It is SO MUCH FUN.  I’ve been the desert lady.  Last year I made Budino al Cioccolato (Italian for chocolate pudding).  Sounds like a movie doesn’t it? 

The trend these days is to serve desert in small dishes.  This was one of four deserts that I served.  I can’t believe how EASY it was to make.  Because it was Valentine’s Day I left all the goodness in the recipe.  I usually try to
“cleanse” it by replacing heavy cream with half and half or in this case the
half and half with skim milk.  I would even consider replacing the egg yolks with egg substitutes.  When you look at the sugar content it’s only 5 tablespoons for the entire recipe.  This is something I would have to try when I have spare chocolate sitting around the house.

This makes 12 mini dishes of chocolate pudding.  Your family will be hanging around to lick the bowl when you’re finished.  (or the blender)

Budino al Cioccolato (Chocolate Pudding)

9 ounces semisweet pieces
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 cup heavy cream
6 extra large egg yolks, whisked
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Place the chocolate in a blender and break it down till the pieces are as small as you can get them.

Using a 4 cup liquid measuring cup incorporate the half and half and the cream with a whisk.  Place the mixture along with the egg yolks, granulated sugar and salt in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the spoon and ALMOST boiling, 5 to 6 minutes.

Immediately pour the milk mixture over the chocolate pieces in the blender. Cover and hold the lid with a pot holder; blend until combined and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Divide the chocolate mixture among your mini dishes and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

Notes:  When choosing chocolate, always pick the best because it makes a huge difference in taste. What’s a fine chocolate? It’s one that does taste like the average chocolate bar. It’s one that you consistently say, “LOVE IT”. Ghirardelli is an excellent example of fine chocolate. One can purchase it in most grocery stores.

Then there’s one of the really best chocolates that is very difficult to find and that’s Scharffen Berger chocolates. It’s made in California using artisan chocolate methods.

You’ll love this.  You can visit www.MissMarys.wordpress.com for more Valentine Desert ideas.