Even though Valentine's Day is behind us, there's no reason why you can't make sexy and sweet desserts for that special someone in your life all year round so that they feel appreciated. This is one of my all-time favorites.
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Caramel Sauce and Kahlua Whipped Cream
Chocolate Pot de Crème
2 cups half and half
½ vanilla bean
6 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
6 egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1. Preheat the oven to 350° on the conventional setting, not convection.
2. Place the cream in a small saucepan. Scrape the pulp from the vanilla bean; add the pulp and the pod to the cream.
3. Heat until steaming. Remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate until smooth. Remove the vanilla pod.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt.
5. Slowly temper the warm cream mixture into the eggs, stirring gently.
6. Place four ramekins in a baking dish (I used mason jars, but many restaurants use deep tea cups), and then pour the custard into the ramekins.
7. Fill the baking dish halfway up the sides with hot water.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until jiggly but firm.
9. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until cold (may be refrigerated overnight).
10. Serve chilled, topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
Caramel Sauce
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
1. Stir together the water and sugar in a medium-size saucepan with a clean spoon.
2. Simmer over medium heat without stirring until the sugar caramelizes into a deep amber color.
3. Remove from the heat and add the butter. Be careful, because the butter will create a lot of steam. Allow to sit until the butter is melted, then stir until smooth.
4. Whisk in the heavy cream.
5. Cool slightly before serving.
*To help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while it boils, wash down any sugar crystals that stick to the sides of the pot with water and a clean pastry brush.
Kahlua Whipped Cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
Kahlua to taste
1. Whip heavy cream and sugar until they reach soft peaks. Add in the Kahlua to taste.
Even though Valentine's Day has passed, The Chopping Block's Sweetheart Gift Card is available throughout the month of Febarury, and it's a pretty sweet deal! Buy a gift card for $180 and we'll add on $20 value for a total of $200. Use it toward a cooking class and a bottle of wine for the ultimate date night!
