Best Jennifer Millars Chocolate Budini Recipes

JENNIFER MILLAR'S CHOCOLATE BUDINI

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 375°F.
• Melt the chocolate and butter with 6 tablespoons of sugar and the salt in a medium stainless-steel bowl placed in a skillet of hot, not simmering, water, stirring frequently.
• Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
• Whisk in the egg yolks and vanilla.
• In a medium bowl combine egg whites and cream of tartar.
• Using a hand-held electric mixer on high speed, beat until soft peaks form.
• Add the remaining 6 tablespoons of sugar gradually, beating constantly, until the whites are stiff and glossy.
• Fold 1/4 of the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Scrape the chocolate mixture into the bowl of whites and fold just until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among 6 12- to 16-ounce (or so) oven-proof serving dishes (the batter won't fill the bowl but will leave enough room for ice cream, sauce and almonds).
• Place the bowls on a large baking sheet.
• (The budini can be prepared up to 2 days ahead to this point, loosely covered and refrigerated.) Bake until the budini are puffed with crusty, deeply cracked tops and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out quite gooey, 20 to 25 minutes.
• (The budini can be completely baked up to a day ahead, cooled, covered and refrigerated. To reheat, bake in a hot, 375°F oven until puffed, about 10 minutes.) Serve within 10 minutes (the puddings will sink as they cool), topping each serving with a scoop of ice cream.

CHOCOLATE BUDINO WITH OLIVE OIL AND SALT

Steps:

• To a medium saucepan, whisk together the half-and-half, whole milk, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Place over medium heat and bring just to a simmer, whisking occasionally, 3 to 5 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, whole egg, egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until well combined, thick and pale yellow in color.
• While whisking, slowly pour or ladle in about half of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture to temper the eggs. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot with the remaining milk mixture. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened to the consistency of pancake batter, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Place the melted chocolate in a medium bowl. Place a fine-mesh strainer over the bowl. Pour the cooked custard through the strainer into the melted chocolate, pressing it through the strainer. Remove the strainer and whisk the hot custard and chocolate until completely combined and smooth. Stir in the almond extract and olive oil.
• Evenly divide the budino between six 4- to 6-ounce small glass cups, bowls or ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge to chill, 3 to 4 hours.
• In a chilled large bowl, whisk the heavy cream with a handheld electric mixer on medium speed until frothy. Add the vanilla paste and continue to whip to soft peaks, about 5 minutes. Cover and chill until ready to use.
• When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from each budino and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of olive oil, a grating of bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.

CHOCOLATE BUTTER GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate, butter and corn syrup in a heatproof medium bowl.
• Place in a skillet of barely simmering water.
• Stir frequently, until almost completely melted.
• Remove bowl from skillet and stir until mixture is smooth.
• Do not whisk or beat the glaze.
• Let stand at room temperature without stirring until cooled, thick and spreadable (about 30mins, depending on kitchen temp).
• You may also use microwave for the melting step (as I did), just mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Nuke the mixture at LOW power for approx 20 sec, remove bowl, stir gently.
• Repeat until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth.
• The first layer of glaze- Spread a very thin layer using 1/4 of the glaze over the top and sides of cake (cake must be at room temp).
• Be sure to smooth rough surfaces and fill in any cracks.
• Be careful not to get any crumbs into the bowl of glaze.
• This is the'crumb coat', and it gives the cake a smooth and even undercoat for the final glaze.
• The final glaze- Rewarm the glaze in microwave/double boiler for a few seconds.
• Stir gently until smooth.
• Do not overheat; glaze should be 90F for it to dry to a shiny finish.
• If necessary, cool to proper temperature.
• Once the final glaze has been applied, let cake stand at room temp until the glaze sets, about 15mins.
• NOTE: Do no re-spread glaze once it has set, or it will have marks and dull streaks.

ESPRESSO MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Bring cream to a simmer.
• Remove from heat, stir in espresso powder and confectioner's sugar.
• Transfer to bowl and cool slightly.
• Whisk in mascarpone.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.

SPICY CORNMEAL CRACKERS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer use the paddle attachment to combine the water and oil.
• In another bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt (not the coarse salt), and red pepper flakes.
• Turn the machine onto low and pour in flour mixture.
• Blend just until the dough comes together.
• By hand- mix flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper flakes in a large bowl.
• Mix oil and water in a separate medium bowl.
• Make a well in the flour mixture and pour oil/water into the center.
• Mix with a wooden spoon until just combined, as with muffins. (This may require some hand-kneading to combine thoroughly)
• On a lightly floured surface, pat dough into a flat rectangle.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 500°F.
• If using baking stone (preferred method) place stone in oven about 45 minutes before baking to heat.
• Place the rack in the center of the oven.
• Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment.
• Remove from refrigerator and dough into 2 equal pieces.
• On a lightly floured surface roll dough into a 16x12 inch rectangle.
• (If dough "resists and retracts" let is rest and work with the other piece of dough) Transfer your rectangles to your baking sheet by lightly rolling them around your rolling pin then spreading them on the baking sheets.
• Poke each rectangle all over with a fork.
• If you would like consistent shapes, score lightly with a sharp knife.
• Mist with water and sprinkle with the course salt.
• Bake for about 10 minutes until dough is set- one sheet at a time.
• Transfer on the paper onto a rack to cool.
• Let cool completely, then break into irregularly shaped crackers or break at score marks.
• Store into an airtight container for up to 3 days.