Chocolate Mint Pots De Creme Recipe With Coffee

CHOCOLATE-MINT POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• In the top of a double boiler over gently simmering water, melt the chocolate. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the half and half and cream and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• Place the egg yolks and creme de menthe in a blender. Pour the melted chocolate into the blender and add the cream mixture. Blend on medium speed 15 to 20 seconds, until all the ingredients are well combined.
• Pour the mixture into eight 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups, filling each one about two-thirds full. Place the ramekins in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Place the pan in the oven and pour in enough boiling water to come about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake about 40 minutes, or until the custard is set.
• Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Garnish each pot de creme with raspberries and mint leaves.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Stir chocolate, instant coffee, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Heat cream, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it just begins to simmer.
• Pour hot cream mixture over the chocolate mixture; let sit for 1 minute.
• Whisk the chocolate and cream mixture for 1-2 minutes until combined.
• Pour the mixture into four small espresso cups. Tap to remove any air bubbles. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• Serve topped with grated chocolate, or add lightly whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.

EASY POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add heavy cream and half-and-half; blend again. Add chocolate and vanilla extract and blend until chocolate is very finely chopped. Carefully pour hot coffee through the opening while blender is running; blend until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Pour mixture into small serving dishes. Let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-MINT POTS DE CRèME WITH CANDY CANE BRITTLE

Steps:

• For pots de crème:
• Bring cream and milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add mint; steep for 1 hour. Strain; return to pan.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Whisk yolks and next 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Bring mint cream to a boil; add chocolate. Remove from heat; whisk until melted. Return to a boil. Gradually whisk into yolk mixture. Strain into a medium pitcher. Add salt.
• Place ramekins in a large baking dish or roasting pan. Divide mint custard among ramekins. Pour hot water into dish to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Cover baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper.
• Bake custards until just set in center, about 40 minutes. Let cool in water bath. Cover; chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
• For white chocolate ganache:
• Stir chocolate in a medium metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Whisk in cream, vanilla, and salt. Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours.
• For candy cane brittle:
• Line a large baking sheet with foil. Stir bittersweet chocolate in a medium metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until melted. Stir in 3/4 cup chopped candy and crushed cookies; spread over foil. Sprinkle 1/4 cup candy over. Drizzle with melted white chocolate. Chill until set, about 30 minutes. Break into shards.
• Using an electric mixer, beat white chocolate ganache until firm peaks form. Spoon a dollop of ganache over each pot de crème; garnish with a piece of brittle.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
• Put chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring cream, milk, espresso powder (to taste), and a pinch of salt just to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until espresso powder is dissolved, then pour over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• Whisk together yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt in another bowl, then add warm chocolate mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure and cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Line bottom of a baking pan (large enough to hold ramekins) with a folded kitchen towel and arrange ramekins on towel. Poke several holes in a large sheet of foil with a skewer. Divide custard among ramekins, then bake custards in a hot water bath , pan covered tightly with foil, until custards are set around edges but still slightly wobbly in centers, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Transfer ramekins to a rack to cool completely, uncovered, about 1 hour. (Custards will set as they cool.) Chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
• *Available at some supermarkets, specialty foods shops, and The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836).