Chocolate Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   1) Put the egg yolk in a medium heatproof bowl and lightly beat it.
2. 2
   2) In another bowl, combine the cocoa, cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
3. 3
   Pour in 1/2 cup of the milk and whisk until a smooth paste forms.
4. 4
   3) Bring the remaining milk to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat (boiling milk scorches quickly) and whisk the cocoa paste into the hot milk.
5. 5
   Put it back on the burner, bring it to a boil, and cook for exactly 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
6. 6
   Remove from the heat.
7. 7
   4) Gradually pour about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolk, whisk it smooth, and pour it back into the pot.
8. 8
   Bring the pudding back to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes.
9. 9
   Do not boil.
10. 10
    Stir in the vanilla.
11. 11
    Pour into serving dishes and chill.
12. 12
    Cover the bowls of pudding with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.