Servings: 7
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (If you want to do this dairy free I recommend oat milk instead of the heavy cream)
1/2 cup whole milk (exclude if going dairy free, since it’s not as thick as whole milk)
5 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate (I use the Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips because I’m lazy)
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Hot water
Whipped cream or crème fraîche for serving
Steps to make it
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 300 degrees F.
Place 7 (3-ounce) jars in a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
Heat the cream and milk or oat milk in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it just comes to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate, and whisk until melted and smooth.
Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a large, heatproof bowl. While whisking constantly, slowly whisk in the chocolate mixture.
Pour the mixture through a small strainer into the small jars trying to keep them all pretty even.
Heat up a tea kettle full of water.
Transfer the pan to the oven and then pour the hot water into the pan (trying to not pour into the jars) until the water comes about halfway up the outside of the jars.
Bake until the edges are set and center slightly jiggles (similar to what I’m showing below), about 20-25 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the jars to a wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Serve with whipped cream or crème fraîche.
Avery’s birthday was the first week of September and while I am still trying to find my stride on posting recipes while working full time again, I wanted to write about both the recipe and Avery for her birthday. I first met Avery and Alyssa when Alyssa helped with my sewing camp 10 years ago and then we appreciated each other on Facebook but didn’t hang out regularly.
When Anna moved in with me and expressed a love for skiing. I had seen that Avery did downhill ski racing so invited Avery and Alyssa over for dinner to talk to Anna about it and see if she would be interested. Avery’s enthusiasm won her over and thus began the ski season. Alyssa helped me figure out what Anna needed and found used or free items for her to use. Avery and Anna clicked. Anna loved it and even with all the races and standing outside for hours in the freezing cold (all the gear I bought was super useful when covid hit and I started visiting my friends outside near a firepit) we had a great time. We even went to Colorado to ski over Christmas where I finally learned how to ski and Anna and Avery practiced skiing on one foot on difficult runs to test their balance. They loved it. I spent most of my time reading at the airbnb and enjoying the view which I also loved. I had skied growing up in the Black Hills and enjoyed it, but hadn’t kept it up regularly and while I did enjoy it, I like reading in a cozy airbnb more.
When Anna had to leave in March because of Covid, Alyssa reached out and asked if she and Avery could move in. Avery was planning to go to school in England and Alyssa was planning to move once she launched Avery. So we became a household of introverts (all of us were already introverts). They let me cook for them and Alyssa and I played loads of SkipBo and Phase 10 while drinking cucumber vodka in lemonade. Also nice that I got to feed people but Alyssa did the dishes. It was glorious. They both befriended and spoiled Maddie, and Maddie finally got her own cat who hated her, but she thought Ella was her best friend.
Chocolate pots de creme is one of Avery’s favorites. What I love about this pudding is that it is super easy to make but feels fancy. When you put it in a small jar with it’s own lid even fancier. It’s pretty easy to make this dessert dairy free. Chocolate is great at taking over all the other flavors and it is rich! I have done cooking classes for the research team I was working with and then Avery and Anna. Avery’s oven wasn’t cooperating so it didn’t get firm enough, but I hope this recipe being published will encourage her to try again :)
I was going to help Avery and Anna make their prom dresses, but Covid shut down prom and graduation in person that year. Avery and I still made the dress (It’s the one in the first picture) and she wore it to her drive by graduation party, but ended up being thankful she hadn’t worn it to dance all night because it was really hot and heavy (literally, not figuratively).
The day that Avery moved to England to start university, her mom moved to Mexico. Before heading to the airport, Avery gathered up Maddie to say goodbye and Maddie curled right into her. I’m so glad I captured that moment because it was really lovely. Of course I sent ginger snaps with Avery because I had to bake my feelings and I always think it’s a good idea to send baked goods with people embarking on a new adventure. I have continued to mail her baked goods on occasion because it brings both of us joy.
She and her mother happened to be visiting Minnesota the day I brought Oscar home 2 years ago and I’m so glad I captured this video of her running up and down the sidewalk with him. I’m so thankful I’m still in touch with her and that when I visit England I get to see her and am able to talk her into a street art tour or wait in line to have a fantastic dinner.
I feel so fortunate to have become friends with my friends kids. I love seeing the world through their eyes and learn so much from them. I also appreciate being reminded of the days when I had more energy to put into causes I believed in and explored new adventures. Over time I’ve refined my advocacy to a select few causes and and still have new adventures, but they are fewer and involve more comfortable accommodations. I am no longer interested in camping on the ground, sleeping on my backpack in a ferry station or overnight bus trips. I want to see new things but have a good shower and heating or air conditioning at the end of my day. But I will always enjoy seeing that eagerness and energy in the younger generation. My experience can teach them something, but their ability to continue to improve on the improvements my generation made are invaluable.
Supplies
(I’ll get a small cut if you click on these links and buy them)