Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Cookbook Challenge - Week 13 - Love - Molten Chocolate Puddings

Love is.... serving chocolate pudding just the way he likes it - to his desk while he plays Battlefield on the computer on Valentine's Day.

Love is.... serving it undercooked because that's the way he likes it, despite the fact it will photograph badly for the blog.


Love is.... making a recipe that's from a book I've already used for the cookbook challenge, and a recipe I've made before, because he "loves chocolate pudding even more than chocolate mousse" - this was a big call from someone who rarely orders dessert, but if he does it's chocolate mousse. 

I came across this recipe when I was making Spicy Chicken Thighs from Bill Granger's Every Day for Week 10 of the challenge.  

Love is.... having made this recipe five times since Week 10 of the challenge, and it's only Week 13 now.

Ok, you get the point. This is why I chose this recipe for our love theme. And I stuck a white chocolate heart on it for bonus points - but didn't serve him that one, since he doesn't like white chocolate. See how much I love him?

This is a simple, molten centred pudding that I haven't had fail yet. The first time I made it, following Bill's cooking time instructions (10 minutes) it was only just firm and held its shape, you could probably cook it for 10 1/2 - 11 minutes and still have a gooey middle, but I cook it for 9 1/2 to get it the way he likes it. I like it either way, but tend to leave mine in the oven for the 30 seconds it takes me to plate his up, just for a little more cake, and a little less batter. I also always wish I'd made enough for two each!





Here's one I prepared earlier - about 11 minutes in the oven - I also didn't have it on the middle shelf, and it was a little too close to the bottom element, as you can see from the "robust" colouring.












Molten Chocolate Puddings - Bill Granger's Every Day
Serves two 
(but doubles well, just use four ramekins as they won't cook well as two larger puddings)

50g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
50g dark chocolate, chopped
1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tablespoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon plain flour


Preheat the oven to 220 degrees. Butter two 250ml ovenproof ramekins and dust with cocoa powder, shaking out any excess.


Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water or in the microwave on 50%. While the chocolate is melting use and electric whisk to beat the egg, yolk and sugar until pale and thick.


 Isn't that cute? I have no idea how the shadow is trying to create a heart, but it's very suitable for Valentine's Day

Pour the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, sift in the flour and gently fold in. Spoon into the ramekins and bake for 10 minutes. Serve either in the ramekins or turned out onto serving plates.


There you go. That's something by Kate. Happy Valentine's Day!

8 comments:

  1. Hi Kate, I have to agree, the theme for love for me should have actually been Bill Granger, I LOVE his recipes so much. This is about the only book of his I dont have yet but I love a molten chocolate pudding so might be an excuse to buy it (or I could just use your recipe :))

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  2. You two deserve each other, and it's nice to see a couple that go out of their way to take care of one other. You made mushy chocolate pudding and let him game on VDay, and he cleans your cat-attacked eggwhites off the carpet and worries about you slipping on the rest. Perfect match. So what if he won't eat zucchini cake? :)

    This looks seriously delicious, will have to give it a go! Happy Valentine's Day, Kate! :)

    Celia

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  3. ooh these look really good - well done!

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  4. These are the best chocolate puddings I've ever had - maybe I'll leave my boy for Bill, even if we are perfect for each other Celia :)

    It's so hard not to make these everyday, since they're so quick and easy.

    Ange, check out the spicy chicken thighs from the same book, http://somethingbykate.blogspot.com/2010/01/who-won-and-cookbook-challenge-week-10.html The only Bill book I don't have is Sydney Food, but I'm hoping to remedy that soon!

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  5. Awww, that is love indeed! Mhmmmm so melty.

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  6. Mmmm... how can anyone resist the chocolate oozing out, still warm?! This recipe must be very good for you to want to make it so many times and for it never to fail!

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  7. Oh. I've wanted to try my hand at these ever since it was tried (and failed at) on Masterchef once. It looks so easy. Makes me feel guilty for ordering them from Dominos now.

    *mental note: must buy ovenproof ramekins*

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  8. Would you believe I made this again this week!!! Welcome to the challenge SilverMoon Dragon. I promise you these will be better than Dominos.

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