Would I normally choose pudding for dessert?  No, not when it’s from a box and is kind of rubbery tasting.  However, when it’s made from scratch and is silky, smooth, chocolaty and minty, I could eat it every. single. day.

This recipe is from Cooking Light, but in typical fashion, you’d never know it (well, I also topped it with homemade whipping cream which put it over the top!).  I couldn’t resist!

This recipe is not difficult to make, it just takes a little patience – unlike the old box of pudding.  Trust me, you’ll be glad you put in the effort.  This is special enough for  a company dinner.  Your guests will love you for it!

For the semi-sweet chocolate pieces, I used these Nestle’ Chocolate Mint filled chips.  They added a little more minty taste to the pudding, which is super good!  But you could use just regular chocolate and it’ll be delicious.

After the pudding is cooked, be sure to lay plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a film from forming.  Then refrigerate the bowl.

Preparation

Heat milk over medium-high heat in a small, heavy saucepan to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat; add mint. Let stand 15 minutes; strain milk mixture through a sieve into a bowl, reserving milk. Discard solids. Return milk to pan; stir in sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt. Return pan to medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk until mixture thickens.

Place egg yolks in a medium bowl; gradually add half of hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add egg mixture to pan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute or until thick. Remove from heat; add vanilla and chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts. Pour pudding into a bowl; cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Chill. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

Any pudding lovers out there?  Give this a try even if you’re on the edge.  It’s not hard, and it will turn even a night of leftovers into a meal fit for a king!

With love from my country kitchen,