This Chocolate Pot de Creme recipe uses fragrant cinnamon and spicy cayenne pepper to add a Mayan flair to this delicious recipe!
Guys, we need to talk. About this holiday that’s coming up….called Valentine’s Day.
Can I just ask: as a society, why are we still doing this? We are many years past the days of elementary school valentine cards, and even more years past the days where we could eat a pound of chocolates and say NO RAGRETS!
Here’s my problem with Valentine’s Day:
In the weeks leading up to the big day, we’re inundated by advertisements telling us to reserve tables at expensive restaurants, plan romantic weekend getaways, and buy lavish jewelry to show our love (don’t even get me started on the whole “chocolate diamond” thing).
To top it all off, each week millions of people tune in to watch the Bachelor “plan” over-the-top perfect dates for whichever contestant he’s sleeping with that week.
On February 15th, when all the wining and dining is said and done, are we any happier?
Did we get that Pandora charm we wanted? Was the steak cooked to perfection?
I don’t mean to be a scrooge about the whole thing, but it just seems like another excuse to build up a bunch of fantasies in your head and then get let down by the actual experience.
Wow, that got dark pretty quick there.
My point (if there is one), is that every day spent with a loved one is a reason to celebrate.
We don’t need red roses, precious gems, and Victoria’s Secret shopping bags to make it special.
But, we do need Chocolate, right?!
Yes, Valentine’s Day needs Chocolate!
So, enjoy your loved one everyday and splurge by making this amazing chocolate recipe a few days a year!
Here’s the Mayan Chocolate Pot de Creme Recipe!
Mayan Chocolate Pot de Creme Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- Pinch of salt
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate - chopped (or in chips)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the milk, cream, vanilla, sugar, egg yolks, and salt in a medium saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat and cook for 5-6 minutes, whisking frequently, until the mixture is thick enough to coat a spatula.
- Place the chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne in the pitcher of a large blender. Pour the warm custard mixture over the top, then put the lid on the blender and puree until very smooth.
- Divide the mixture into four containers, cover with plastic wrap, and chill until set (about 2 hours).
Anetta, these look delicious! I’m sorry to hear about your divorce. I’m glad that you are happier now but it’s still a tough transition. My brother and sister in law are going through a divorce right now. It’s no fun. Here’s to a happier 2016!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Karen! I really appreciate it 🙂
So but every time I try to make a custard or anything with heated eggs and liquid I end up with scrambled egg bits which kind of ruins the otherwise silky smooth experience. As a result I’ve come to fear these kind of recipes, but it looks so yummy. Any tips? Other than my just becoming a better cook?
I used to have that problem, too! It comes from exposing the eggs to too high of heat without “tempering” them (slowly warming them up to the temperature of the hot liquid). I avoid this problem by warming the eggs and milk together at the same time. That way I’m not adding cold eggs to hot milk, which would scramble them. When you’re making these pots de creme, you’ll know the custard base (the eggs and milk) are ready to go when the liquid is thick enough to coat a spatula. Not going to lie, a few times I’ve over-cooked mine and noticed a few little chunks. After being pot through the blender, everything is silky smooth anyway 🙂
I like Valentine’s Day, but not with a lot of hubbub or huge expectations – but I do like to have a day (even if it’s within a week or so of the 14th, lol) to have a special time with my husband. I realize we could do that anytime, but we don’t very often … so the frenzied commercialization sort of forces us to 🙂 We don’t have high expectations of perfection: a nice dinner out or at home, or even just wine and cheese in front of the tv (no gifts/no cards), so it works for us.
I’m sorry to hear about your divorce, it’s never pleasant, even if it’s ultimately for the best. My 2 cents on your post divorce life – do what it sounds like you’ve been doing, which is to say .. do whatever *you* want. As far as ‘finding happiness’ goes, happiness isn’t a destination, it’s a choice (sounds like Dr. Phil, doesn’t it? But kind of true, lol). So … do the things you couldn’t before, try new stuff, take some risks and I’ll bet you find that happiness is coming along for the ride. And also, please keep posting such wonderful recipes, you have inspired much happiness in our household 😉
I totally see what you’re saying, Patty! If nothing else, Valentine’s Day is a nice reminder to go on a date if you haven’t done so in a while, right!? My husband and I had a no-gift rule for pretty much every occasion, mostly because I always felt like exchanging gifts just caused weird imbalances because one person always does a better job of picking something out 😉 In my previous relationships, boyfriends had given me some bizarre gifts (one time, it was a 12-pack of Diet Coke… wish I was kidding!) so I just didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment again. Funniest thing is that one year at Christmas my husband and I had decided to exchange stockings, and he created an amazing scavenger hunt for me with gifts hidden all around the house. Every gift was something I had mentioned in passing over the past year that I wanted! Goes to show, you never know your partner like you think you do 🙂
I’m definitely ALL for choosing happiness instead of continuing to wait for it. I’ve been reading and practicing a lot of Eastern spiritual traditions, and feel like I’m finally on the right path towards loving myself and discovering the happiness that’s been here all along.
I’m so glad that you and your household like my recipes! It really makes my day 🙂
This sounds delicious. I assume you mean 3/4 cup heavy cream not tablespoons.
Yes! Oops – I fixed it now. Thanks for catching that!