As I mentioned in my Five For Friday post last week, each year I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Gourmet Traveller annual French issue.
I've wanted to visit France for as long as I can remember, and while I haven't been lucky enough to make that a reality yet, I take whatever I can get. Whether that be day dreaming as I flick through the pages of a magazine and dream of visiting a beautiful French chateau or drooling over delicious French recipes.
This year's issue was filled to the brim with absolutely delicious French recipes, many of which I have bookmarked to try, however, the first I chose to make was these beautiful dark Chocolate Pots de Creme as I'd picked up some wonderful dark couverture chocolate from Cocoa Chocolat on Monday that I was just itching to use.
I've made Chocolate Pots de Creme previously, however, this version is a little different as it doesn't require any baking. The result is that these little pots of chocolatey goodness are deliciously fudgey, and almost truffle like. To pair with this decadent treat I wanted something to cut the richness and chose to poach some beautiful cherries I'd picked up at the markets in red wine and cinnamon. The end result was decadent, divine and delicious!
So tell me, is there anywhere you've dreamed of visiting? Have you been lucky enough to get there yet and did it live up to your expectations?
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 ml pouring cream
- 250 ml milk
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
- 4 egg yolks
- 80 g raw caster sugar
- 300 g 70% cocoa dark chocolate, chopped
- RED WINE POACHED CHERRIES:
- 200 g sweet cherries, halved and pitted
- 250 ml red wine
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 1 cinnamon quill
Instructions
- Combine the milk, cream and vanilla bean seeds in a medium saucepan over a medium heat and bring to a boil. While the cream mixture is coming to a boil whisk the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until pale. Switch the mixer to it's slowest speed and add the cream slowly. When combined return the mixture to the saucepan and place over a medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon thickly, around 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the chocolate and whisk to combine. Divide the mixture between 6 glasses or jars and refrigerate for 3 hours to set.
- To make the poached cherries combine the red wine, cinnamon and sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer and simmer for 10 minutes before adding the cherries and simmering for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and place into a jar or sealed container until ready to serve.
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Lovely dessert, and with cherries... mmm just what I need for Friday! 🙂
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Chocolate, cherries and red wine. How luscious!
Sarah says
These look divine - chocolate and cherries are such a good combination!
Kim Bee says
This is stunning. I adore cherries so this is right up my alley. I could eat 20 of these.
Mary@FitandFed says
So sophisticated with the red-wine poached cherries on top! Marvelous photo, too. I've never poached cherries, I'll have to try it before they go out of season here.
Emma (Lilah Snow) says
We went to New York this year (also for our honeymoon) after wanting to go for years - and it was even better than I thought!
Jennifer says
How funny Emma, I went to New York last year for my honeymoon too. My husband and I had been there the year before for a holiday and loved it so much we just had to go back. Such an amazing city! 🙂
Anna says
I’m a little worried that it won’t live up to my expectations, but my parents visited recently and my Mum kept telling me how much I’d adore it, so I am sure I will. 🙂 I really can’t wait to go. Hopefully I’ll get there for our honeymoon.