Tried It & Loved It: Dark Chocolate Orange Pudding

Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Chocolate and Mint

Chocolate and Raspberry

While those are all wonderful compliments to chocolate and I would never turn down a dessert that were any of these combinations, given a choice, I hands down would go for the chocolate and orange.  No chocolate combination makes my toes curl like chocolate and orange.  I LOVE it and I am definitely my mother's daughter in that department--it's her favorite too.  And we certainly seem to be the odds ones out, as most people (at least that I know) always prefer the chocolate raspberry combo. 

So when I came across this recipe, I knew I would love it.  And love it I did.

Dark Chocolate Orange Pudding ~ slightly adapted from Lisa at Blessed With Grace 

1/3 cup sugar (I used rapaduara)
2 TBSP cornstarch
2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
1 TBSP butter 
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp finely shredded orange peel

In a large saucepan, mix together sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder.  Slowly mix in cold milk and stir to incorporate.  Over medium to medium high heat, cook and stir constantly until mixture thickens and starts to bubble.  Temper egg by adding in about a 1/2 cup of the hot mixture to the beaten egg, stirring to incorporate.  Add this mixture back to rest of the pudding and add in chopped chocolate.  Cook for about 2 minutes more, stirring constantly.    

Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and orange peel.  Transfer to heat proof bowl and cover with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a "skin" from forming.  Serve with sweetened cream (if desired) and enjoy. 

Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway!), the Peanut loved it too.