Pot de Creme

Directions

1. 1
   Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. 2
   Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over gently simmering water.
3. 3
   When the chocolate is almost melted, turn off the heat and let stand until completely melted.
4. 4
   Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan, scald the cream and milk.
5. 5
   Watch carefully as cream will boil over.
6. 6
   In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and salt until the sugar is completely dissolved.
7. 7
   Slowly whisk the hot cream mixture into the yolks.
8. 8
   If you add the hot cream mixture too quickly, the egg yolks could cook and leave undesirable cooked egg particles.
9. 9
   Remove the melted chocolate from the stove and pour the hot cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the melted chocolate.
10. 10
    Whisk until well combined and smooth.
11. 11
    Ladle the mixture into 6 (3/4-cup) ramekins.
12. 12
    Line the bottom of a baking pan with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
13. 13
    Place the filled ramekins in the baking dish on the towel.
14. 14
    Pour in enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
15. 15
    Cover the entire pan with aluminum foil and place in the oven.
16. 16
    Bake until mixture around the edges of the ramekin is firm when lightly shaken, about 35 minutes.
17. 17
    (Baking time will vary depending on depth and width of ramekins.)
18. 18
    The center of the Pot de Cremes may still jiggle slightly when shaken, but that is okay, it will firm up as it chills.
19. 19
    Carefully remove the ramekins from the baking pan, wipe dry and allow to cool.
20. 20
    Once cooled, refrigerate until firm, about 2 to 3 hours.
21. 21
    To serve, spoon some White Chocolate Whipped Cream into the ramekin and garnish with some grated chocolate.
22. 22
    Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water, stirring occasionally.
23. 23
    Once melted, remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
24. 24
    Whip the cream in a chilled bowl to soft peaks.
25. 25
    Fold in the cooled chocolate and beat to stiff peaks.