Valentine Treat - Chocolate Pudding

                                                 
I am not a 'valentines day' kind of person but since love seems to be in the air today, I thought of posting a sweet delight. Hope you guys like it.

Goodies you need
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 tbs cornstarch
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup nestle fresh cream +5-6 tbs more
5 egg yolks
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 tbs butter, cubed
1/4 tsp coffee powder dissolved in 1/3 cup water
Chocolates shavings
7 tbs of good cherry jam or cherry filling ( you can use the jam or filling of any other fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry)

1. Mix sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl. Then add 1/2 cup of milk and mix till the batter is smooth and thick after which add the egg yolks and mix until its smooth. Add the coffee mixture in.
2. In a separate pan, mix the remaining of the milk and 1/2 cup cream and bring this to a boil.
3.Pour the hot milk very slowly into the cocoa batter, while whisking the batter constantly.[ It's a bad idea to add all the milk at once because that would increase the risk of scorching the eggs in the batter and you may end up with chocolaty scrambled eggs. <gross>] At this point taste the batter and check if you are happy with the level of sugar in it.
4.In a heavy bottom non stick pan, heat this on a medium flame stirring it every now and then (I prefer using a whisk to do this). The mixture would start to thickening after 3 to 4 minutes. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes thick to the consistency of mayonnaise. To check if you got the consistency right, dip a metal table spoon into the mixture and run your finger along the back of the spoon. If the line you just made remains in place even after tilting your spoon, then you know it's done. If not, then wait till it thickens some more.

5. Turn off the flame and add the butter and vanilla essence and stir. Keep it aside for 15 minutes till it cools down slightly.
6. Now the fun part... :D Pour this into cute little shot glasses or bowls of your choice and keep it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. A
7. Now that the pudding has cooled down, add the cherry jam or filling on top and then add the remaining of the fresh cream on top of the jam.

8.Sprinkle the chocolate shavings and put it back in the fridge and wait for at least 4 to 5 hours.

And.. TADAAAAAAAAA...  CHOCOLATE PUDDING!
Oh.. oh.. the most important step....
9. Take a spoon and dive into it!
And while you're at it, smack some on your sweetheart's face! ;)
enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Do leave your comments and queries and don;t forget to subscribe! :D