Spicy Chocolate Pots De Creme With Bloody Butterscotch Recipes

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Position your oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees. Slice the two chile peppers in half and carefully remove the seeds. Combine 2 cups of the cream, sugar, chiles and the espresso powder in a heavy medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer while you whisk, dissolving the espresso powder. Once simmering, remove from the heat and remove the chiles with a slotted spoon and discard. Add the chocolate and stir until it is melted and smooth. Set aside.
• Select a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and salt until well blended. Whisk in the chocolate mixture. Strain the mixture into a large 4-cup measuring cup.
• Place 6-8 custard cups or ramekins in a large roasting pan at least 2" deep. Divide the mixture evenly among the cups. Pour enough hot water in the pan to come halfway up the sides of the cups. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Place in oven and bake until the custard is just set around the edges, approximately 25 - 35 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven. Remove cups from the pan and allow them to cool. Cover and chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours and as long as overnight.
• To Serve: Whip cream until soft peaks form. Spoon creme into a pastry bag with a star shaped tip. Pipe one star in the middle of each cup.

BUTTERSCOTCH POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Use 6 (4-oz) ramekins Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
• Bring cream, muscovado sugar, and salt just to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Bring water and Demerara sugar to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and carefully add cream mixture (mixture will bubble up and steam), whisking until combined.
• Whisk together yolks and vanilla in a large bowl, then add hot cream mixture in a stream, whisking.
• Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure.
• Skim off any foam with a spoon.
• Divide custard among ramekins.
• Arrange ramekins in a small roasting pan and bake in a hot water bath, uncovered, until custards are set around edges but still tremble slightly in centers, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer ramekins to a rack with tongs and cool to warm or room temperature.
• Pots de crème will continue to set as they cool.
• Custard can be made, but not baked, 1 day ahead and chilled, covered, in the glass measure or a non-reactive container.

BUTTERSCOTCH POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
• Bring cream, muscovado sugar, and salt just to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Bring water and Demerara sugar to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully add cream mixture (mixture will bubble up and steam), whisking until combined.
• Whisk together yolks and vanilla in a large bowl, then add hot cream mixture in a stream, whisking. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure. Skim off any foam with a spoon.
• Divide custard among ramekins. Arrange ramekins in a small roasting pan and bake in a hot water bath , uncovered, until custards are set around edges but still tremble slightly in centers, about 40 minutes. Transfer ramekins to a rack with tongs and cool to warm or room temperature. Pots de crème will continue to set as they cool.
• *Available at specialty foods shops and Dean & DeLuca (800-999-0306).