Pudding!

Josh loves pudding.  I mean LOVES pudding.  I don't make it often.  Okay.  Ever.  I tried when we were first married and failed miserably. 

But then I saw this fool-proof recipe in my Real Simple magazine.

And Wednesday was date night.  And I really wanted to do a full date night...one where I made everything.  And wore lots of sparkles, but that's a story for a different sort of blog.

Back to the pudding.  Here's the recipe:

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 2hr 15m

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch kosher salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk, then the egg yolks.
2. Cook the milk mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened to the consistency of mayonnaise, 7 to 8 minutes. Continue to cook, whisking, for 1 minute more. Remove from heat and pour through the sieve into the bowl, pushing the mixture through gently with a rubber spatula or spoon. Add the butter and chocolate and stir until melted. Mix in the vanilla.
3. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Before serving, gently stir the pudding to loosen it. Serve with the whipped cream..

Best part?  Josh said it was as good as the pudding he orders from one of our favorite Chicago restaurants.  And he said it was better the next day.  Score for Kristen! 

This will definitely make future appearances.  I think probably on date night's like Wednesdays...it was all classic foods.  Filet Mignon, mashed potatoes, broccoli.  Started with Manhattans and shrimp cocktail.

Dinner tonight?  I don't know.  Likely to be a frozen pizza. I'm trying really hard to eat healthier and will be vegetarian all day long (lunch is a sweet potato, a grape fruit, and a pear).  I think a pizza splurge is probably okay. 


What are you making/having for dinner tonight?


happy cooking