White Chocolate Mint Pots De Crème With Candy Cane Brittle Recipes

PEPPERMINT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a large jellyroll pan with heavy-duty foil.
• Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on medium setting for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Place candy canes in a plastic bag, or between two pieces of waxed paper. Using a mallet or rolling pin, break the candy canes into chunks. Stir peppermint into melted white chocolate. Spread evenly in pan, and chill until set, about 1 hour. Break into pieces by slamming pan on counter.

WHITE CHOCOLATE POTS DU CREME

Steps:

• Combine the cream and milk in a heavy bottom, 2 quart saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Bring the water in a double boiler to a simmer. Place the chocolate in the top half and stir with a rubber spatula until melted. Whisk the egg yolks into the melted chocolate. Slowly pour the boiling cream mixture into the chocolate, whisking constantly. Bring to a temperature of 160 degrees, about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a stainless steel bowl. Cool in an ice bath, stirring constantly with a wire whisk to a temperature of 90 degrees F., about 4 to 5 minutes. Evenly divide the mixture into 8 small pot de creme forms or glass custard cups. Cover each with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to set before serving. Spoon the sauce over the top of each pot de creme and serve with the Florentines.
• Remove the seeds from 2 pomegranates and set aside. Remove the seeds from the other 2 pomegranates and place in a small saucepan with the sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Boil until all of the seeds burst and the mixture begins to thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain and allow to cool. Stir in the whole pomegranate seeds.
• Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2000
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla, baking soda and salt and beat until smooth. In a food processor or blender, combine the oats and pecan pieces and pulse several times to grind. Add this to the creamed mixture and beat until incorporated. The dough will be stiff and sticky. Drop by the teaspoonful, about 3 inches apart, onto the prepared pan. Flatten the dough slightly with your fingertips. Bake for 6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and carefully roll the cookies into cylinder shapes-like a cookie cigar while they are still hot. Cool completely on wire racks.

LEMON AND WHITE CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Put the white chocolate in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a small saucepan, over low heat, add the cream and milk and heat until hot but not boiling. Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until smooth. In another medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest, and salt together until smooth. Slowly whisk the cream mixture into the egg mixture until smooth. Ladle the custard into 4 (4-ounce) ramekins or custard cups. Arrange the ramekins in an 8 by 8-inch square baking dish. Pour enough hot water in the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30 minutes until the custard is almost set and still slightly soft in the center (custard will set as it cools). Let the ramekins cool for 30 minutes in the baking dish. Remove the ramekins from the water and refrigerate for 3 hours or up to 1 day.
• Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

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-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.