Black Licorice Pudding Recipes

LIQUORICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Put the water and liquorice pellets in your smallest pan and bring to the boil, stirring or whisking frequently to help the liquorice melt. Once it starts bubbling, turn off the heat and leave for 5 minutes, stirring or whisking every now and again. Turn the heat back on and whisk in the sugar, then the cream, and bring to a bubble. Remove from the heat. Spoon the cornflour into a little bowl, cup or ramekin and slake it with the milk: which is to say, whisk in the milk until you have a smooth paste. Pour this, whisking as you go, into the mixture in the saucepan. Still whisking, put the pan back on the heat and bring back to a bubble, whisking all the while, for 20-30 seconds, or until thickened. Divide between 2 heatproof glasses or cups and - unless you want to eat this hot - cover, touching the surface of the puddings, with clingfilm or baking parchment that you've wet with cold water then wrung out (this is to prevent a skin forming, a thing I cannot tolerate), and put them in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Let the puddings come to room temperature before serving, and remove the clingfilm or baking parchment and smooth the tops with the back of a teaspoon. Put the soft sea salt on the table to sprinkle over as you eat, if wished. For those of us who love liquorice, this pudding is a sheer, spine-tingling joy.

LICORICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine licorice, salt, 4 cups milk, and 1/3 cup sugar in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and heat over moderately low heat (do not let boil), stirring frequently, until licorice is dissolved, 18 to 20 minutes. (If licorice is not completely dissolved, let mixture stand off heat, uncovered, whisking occasionally, 10 minutes.)
• Increase heat to moderate and bring milk mixture to a bare simmer.
• Stir together cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture into licorice mixture and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes to thicken.
• Whisk together egg yolks and remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl until combined well, then add hot milk mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thermometer registers 170°F. Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter until incorporated.
• Chill pudding, its surface covered with a round of wax paper, until very cold, about 4 hours.
• Just before serving, gently whisk pudding, then divide among 6 glasses or bowls.
• Serve with almond cakes.

BLACK ICE LICORICE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• 1. Put the licorice in a saucepan with 1/2 cup of water and place over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the licorice has melted.
• 2. Meanwhile, pour the milk and cream into a large saucepan and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to steam but not boil.
• 3. Whisk the egg yolks in a heatproof bowl until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla and whisk until pale and slightly fluffy. Gradually and slowly, pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Return the mixture to the saucepan, place over low heat, stir in the melted licorice, and heat until the custard thinly coats the back of a wooden spoon. Do not let boil. Add the black food coloring to desired effect.
• 4. Pour back into the bowl and set aside for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooled to room temperature. For more rapid chilling, fill a sink halfway with cold water and ice and place the bowl of mixture in it for 20 minutes. Never put the hot mixture into the refrigerator.
• 5. Once cooled, cover the mixture and refrigerate, ideally overnight, but at least for 6 hours, until thoroughly chilled (at least 40°F). Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• 6. When the churning is complete, use a spoon or spatula to scrape the ice cream into a freezer-proof container with a lid. Freeze until it reaches the correct scooping texture (at least 2 hours).

BLACK LICORICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine licorice, salt, 4 cups milk, and 1/3 cup sugar in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and heat over moderately low heat (do not let boil), stirring frequently, until licorice is dissolved, 18 to 20 minutes. (If licorice is not completely dissolved, let mixture stand off heat, uncovered, whisking occasionally, 10 minutes.).
• Increase heat to moderate and bring milk mixture to a bare simmer.
• Stir together cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture into licorice mixture and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes to thicken.
• Whisk together egg yolks and remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl until combined well, then add hot milk mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thermometer registers 170°F Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter until incorporated.
• Chill pudding, its surface covered wax paper, until very cold, about 4 hours.
• Just before serving, gently whisk pudding, then divide among 6 glasses or bowls.

BLACK LICORICE SQUARES

Steps:

• Line a 9 x 5" loaf pan with parchment paper.
• In a heavy pot, combine cream, butter, corn syrup, molasses, sugars and salt to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 260°F.
• Remove from heat and thoroughly stir in the flour, candy oil and food colouring if using.
• Quickly and carefully pour the candy into the pan.
• Allow to set for 10 minutes, then score with a bench scraper or sharp chef's knife and allow to cool completely before separating and wrapping the pieces.