Chocolate for Valentine’s Day is a cliche, as a result of everybody loves it, however it may be a merciless mistress on the (allegedly) most romantic day of the 12 months. Fondants could overcook when you’re gazing into one another’s eyes, mousses collapse underneath the load of nerves and truffles sink alongside along with your hopes of discovering a diamond ring inside, however these little pots have your again.
Prep 15 min
Cook dinner 5 min
Chill 1 hr+
Serves 2
125ml whipping cream
50ml entire milk
75g darkish chocolate, about 85% cocoa for choice
20g darkish muscovado sugar
2 egg yolks
Pinch of salt
1 Deliver the dairy to a simmer
Slowly carry the cream and milk to simply under a simmer in a smallish pan, ensuring it doesn’t come to the boil (observe: for those who can’t pay money for whipping cream, you possibly can use double cream as a substitute – you’ll simply find yourself with a richer outcome; likewise, semi-skimmed milk may substitute for entire, if want be).
2 A observe on the chocolate
I like a reasonably excessive cocoa-content chocolate right here, however for those who favor use one thing milder and, until you may have a really candy tooth, scale back the sugar barely within the subsequent step – style when you’ve added the recent cream and combined every thing collectively, and add the remainder provided that you assume it’s obligatory.
3 Break up the chocolate
Whereas the cream is heating, coarsely chop the chocolate, or, extra satisfyingly, whack it, nonetheless in its packaging, a number of occasions in opposition to a tough floor till damaged into items. (It is a good technique to do away with any pre-date nerves for those who’re nonetheless at that thrilling stage, or lingering home grudges for those who’re not.)
4 Stir the chocolate into the recent cream
Add the chocolate to the pan of sizzling cream and milk, then take it off the warmth. Depart to sit down for a minute or so, then stir vigorously till the chocolate melts into the cream and there aren’t any lumps or darkish streaks seen – it ought to appear to be easy sizzling chocolate. Put aside.
5 Beat the sugar and egg yolks …
Put the sugar and egg yolks in a medium heatproof bowl and whisk, ideally with electrical beaters, till pale in color and barely elevated in quantity. In the event you don’t have darkish brown sugar, mild brown, demerara and even plain outdated white or icing sugar will do; simply be sure that to beat it for lengthy sufficient to dissolve the crunchier, granulated kinds.
6 … then add the chocolate combine
Slowly pour the recent chocolate cream on to the egg yolk and sugar combination, whisking it vigorously so the egg yolks don’t scramble, then add a pinch of salt and whisk once more. Divide between two ramekins, small bowls or espresso cups and go away to chill utterly, then cowl and chill for at the very least an hour earlier than serving.
7 Flavour variations …
Utilizing flavoured chocolate – orange, mint or chilli, say – is a simple technique to make this recipe your personal, as is including a touch of vanilla extract, a pinch of candy spice (cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg, say), chilli, immediate espresso or some grated orange zest or crushed cardamom pods to the cream pan. Bear in mind to sieve out and take away any solids earlier than stirring within the chocolate.
8 … and a vegan one
That is simply made vegan by utilizing dairy-free chocolate and 175ml plant-based cream. Warmth the cream as above, then add the chocolate, sugar and salt, plus any flavourings, and blend till easy. Divide between ramekins and chill – relying on the kind of cream you employ, it could turn into thick and creamy, fairly than set strong, however it can nonetheless be scrumptious.
9 Or add a romantic contact
For max romance, reduce a circle of greaseproof paper to suit the highest of every ramekin, draw a coronary heart on it, then, as soon as the chocolate is about, lay the guts on high of every chocolate pot in flip and sift icing sugar over it, then elevate off the paper. Alternatively, high the ramekins with whipped cream and mud with cocoa powder as a substitute.
