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DESSERT: CARAMELIZED CHOCOLATE AND ALMOND BUDINO

Episode 107: Sibling Revelry

"Budino is the Italian word for "custard" or "pudding." This one is incredibly rich and creamy, filled with almonds, chocolate, and Amaretti cookie crumbs."
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Ingredients
Serves: 12-16

• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 cups milk
• 8 eggs
• 1 cup ground amaretti cookies (5 ounces)
• 1/2 cup finely ground toasted almonds
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Boiling water for the pan

Preparation
In a large heavy stainless steel frying pan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of the sugar. Do not use a spoon, instead swirl the pan to melt the sugar uniformly. Cook until the sugar starts to turn golden brown or caramel color. Immediately remove from the heat and pour the mixture into a 9-inch round cake pan. Turn the pan to coat the bottom and sides. Set aside.

Crack the eggs into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup sugar to the eggs and whisk.

In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate. In a large saucepan, scald the milk and add the chocolate, whisking constantly.

Add the chocolate and milk slowly to the egg and sugar mixture while whisking. This gradual process is called tempering which prevents the eggs from cooking.

In a bowl, stir together the amaretti crumbs, almonds, and flour. Add to the chocolate mixture and whisk together until mixed.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pour the custard-mixture into the caramel lined pan and place in a larger baking pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come 1 inch up the sides of the cake pan. Bake in the oven until set, 65 to 75 minutes.

Remove the custard from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Invert the budino onto a serving plate.

Recipe ©2004 Joanne Weir from Weir Cooking in the City, reprinted by permission.

Sibling Revelry
Menu
• Celebration Salad of Endive, Crème Fraîche and Caviar
• Halibut Parcels with Capers and Lemon Thyme
• Caramelized Chocolate Almond Budino

Wine Suggestions
Salad: Brut Champagnes or Rosé
Main: Grüner Veltliner or Chardonnay


Joanne's Tips & Guidelines
Top Ten Tips on Food and Wine Pairing

Top Ten Classic Food and Wine Pairings

Do's and Don'ts for Menu Planning

The Essential Mediterranean Pantry

The Essential Asian Pantry

The Essential Latin Pantry

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