Fabulous Holiday Recipe: Chocolate Pot de Crème

December 14, 2012

As we count down to the holidays and begin thinking about what to serve our families and friends for the special day (whatever you choose to celebrate), we will post some of our favorite recipes of all time for your consideration.

Beginning today: Chocolate Pot de Crème, which hails from Place Pigalle, one of the Pike Place Market’s most romantic and long-running French restaurants. The recipe was included in the “Pike Place Market Cookbook, Second Edition.”

Chocolate Pot de Crème

Varietal: Dessert Wine (Port)

Serves 6

Pot de crème translates from the French as “pot of cream,” but I simply refer to this intensely chocolate-y dessert as a “pot of pleasure.” Just be sure to choose a bittersweet chocolate you like to eat out of hand, since some bittersweet chocolates can be intensely dark and bitter, and this three-ingredient recipe contains no added sugar. “Chocolate Pot” serves as the perfect foil to a dense, rich Port wine (ruby or tawny—your choice!), such as those made by Hinzerling or Powers in Washington State, or Sineann in Oregon.

1/2 pound good-quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 cups whipping cream
6 large egg yolks
Fresh mint leaves, optional

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or a stainless-steel or glass bowl placed over a saucepan filled with simmering (not boiling!) water, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to get any water into the chocolate or it could seize (clump and harden) and become unusable. Slowly add 2 cups of the whipping cream, whisking until the chocolate and cream are well mixed, and bring just to a boil, whisking occasionally and being careful not to scorch the cream.

2. Remove the chocolate/cream mixture from the heat. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until light and fluffy. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the yolks until thoroughly combined.

3. Divide the chocolate mixture evenly among six ramekins or custard cups (6-ounce capacity), then refrigerate 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the chocolate sets and chills. After the chocolate chills completely, cover the ramekins with plastic wrap. The desserts can be refrigerated for up to one week or, alternatively, the ramekins can be well wrapped and frozen, then thawed overnight in the refrigerator before serving. (May be made from one week up to six months ahead.)

4. Just before serving, whip the remaining 1 cup cream until stiff peaks form. Remove the ramekins from the refrigerator, add a dollop of whipped cream to each, and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

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