Easy chocolate dessert recipe

Luscious dark chocolate combined with a sprinkle of nuts in a creamy chocolate mousse like chocolate dessert is a beautiful ending to great meal. After lunch is the time that our tastebuds generally crave for something sweet and this quick and easy to make delicious dessert was just right.

Blog hopping as usual from one yummy food world to the other I came upon this beautifully presented eggless chocolate pudding at sharmispassions. The tempting pictures, the on hand list of ingredients all just persuaded me to make it then and there (Warning:Blog hopping sometimes has real dangerous side effects too-extra calories and being overpowered by a strong urge to take a bite of what you see:). Looking at the creamy eggless chocolaty dessert I knew my family would just love it and sure enough they did. Thanks Sharmi.

Ingredients for the chocolate dessert:
Custard powder - 3 tbsp
Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
Milk - 1 and 1/2 cups
Sugar - 2 t
Choco chips - 1.5 tbsp(I used 20 gms of dark chocolate with fruit and nuts)
Vanilla essence - 1/4 tsp

Method for making eggless chocolate dessert:
1- Note: Please keep all ingredients ready before you start making the pudding as it all comes together very fast. You may have two glasses ready to pour it in or decide to have a bowl instead. This chocolate dessert serves 2-3 people.
2- Take 1/2 cup of milk and add in the custard powder,cocoa powder,sugar and mix well to form a lump free mixture.
3- Melt the 20 gms dark chocolate bar in a microwave for 30 seconds in a microwave proof bowl and keep aside.
4- Heat the remaining milk(1 cup)in a bowl. Add in the custard powder mixture and mix well to avoid any lumps. Add in the melted chocolate and stir well. You will find that soon the mixture thickens into a chocolate mousse like consistency. Switch off gas and pour into the mould/glasses.
5- Cover the mould with a cling film and refrigerate. Serve garnishes with chopped nuts or chocolate shavings.
Truly a wonderful treat for anyone who loves chocolates.

Caramel Custard (Flan) - a Christmas Treat

I was reading Cham's post the other day and felt I do identify with that quite a bit. Although I have been photographing dishes from my regular cooking to post on my blog, the events get me thinking as to what I can send in to be part of it. I love the feel that the events create and get me cooking something different from the regular everyday cooking.

The Christmas events that have been on has had me wanting to send in a nice entry, however,it is only now that I have been able to post it although I did make this a few days back.

This caramel custard or flan is a favorite at my place. My husband and daughter just love it, especially my husband as it is my mom-in-law's recipe. She makes it well and now he has agreed that I have reached that level of tastes and perfection:). This is one of the first few recipes that I learnt after marriage as my husband just loves it and was on his list of recipes that I must learn from mom. It is a simple and easy recipe and with very little effort I have a dessert that is yummm.

Ingredients
1/2 litre milk (3 1/2 cups)
2 cups sugar
3-4 drops of vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 tsp sugar (for caramelising)

Method:
Caramelise sugar in the mould that you would like to steam the pudding in. Keep aside. In a sauce pan, boil the milk. When boiled add in the 2 cups of sugar and keep stirring for approximately 10 minutes on medium to low flame till the mixture is slightly thick in consistency. Take off the gas and let cool. When cool. add in the vanilla extract and beat in the eggs. Mix well and pour into the mould. Steam in the pressure cooker covered for 25-30 minutes(you must ensure that water does not enter the mould while steaming. Let stand in the pressure cooker for another 20 minutes after taking off from the gas. Take out cool and refrigerate for 3-4 hours till well set. Turn it upside down and cut into slices and serve. You could even sprinkle some chopped nuts and tutty fruity while serving.

This is my entry for JZ's Santa's Holiday Challenge and also Purva's Christmas Feast