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.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These look simply divine and I love the poached cherry topping!
Kirsty says
Lovely photos as always Jennifer! I must admit, the first time I went to Paris I was a little disappointed. I felt that it didn't live up to the hype, however I adored the French countryside, Riviera and Beujolais wine region. But, in saying that, hubby & I ventured back to Paris this past March and I absolutely fell in love. After that trip I can truly recommend you give France a go, over and over again! Good luck getting there 🙂
Jennifer says
Thanks Kirsty 😀 I have to admit 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.
cc11 says
Holey moley they look even better than in that mag (how gorgeous were those French chateau's - swoon.I have been lucky in that I have traveled to many countries, the beautiful France included. One country still on my list is Spain - hopefully one day soon!
Aunt Clara says
Oh wow, that looks incredible! And I have a long list of places I want to visit, it's such a big world. Off the top of my head Greece is somewhere around the top.
Lydia says
Fabulous photos! I could taste these, just looking at them...and now I must be going mad...cause I can smell them too! Absolutely Georgeous! xxx
The Squishy Monster says
This is GORGEOUS! I love the cinnamon in this Cherries..very nice!I hope you had a fabulous 4th!XOXOhttp://TheSquishyMonster.comTwitter @aSquishyMonster
Rosa says
Those look lovely! I love the idea of paching cherries in red wine. Heavenly.Cheers,Rosa
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Oooh I bet this tastes even better than it looks. I am lucky enough to have been to France but I'd really love to go back.
thelittleloaf says
Dark and decadent and delicious is absolutely right - these look amazing! I love the simplicity of chocolate pots - perfect dinner party dessert which you've taken to the next level with those gorgeous cherries.
Kathryn says
These sound so wonderful and rich, love the combination with the poached cherries.
[email protected] says
Lovely french dessert the perfect match to cherries. Yum
Baker Street says
Your pictures are stunning as always, Jen! These chocolate post sound heavenly!
Suzanne says
So what KIND of cherries? Bing, sour?
Jennifer says
Hi Suzanne, I used Bing cherries. 🙂
Riley says
I bet those cherries are delicious! This all looks so good!
Kankana says
That is one delightful treat. I got to make this before summer vanishes and cherries goes out of the market.
Amanda says
I think I would struggle not to eat this while I was making it! These little pots look divine and seem similar to something I enjoyed hugely in London. Now I can make them myself!
Ambra Sancin says
This looks fabulous. I'm looking at the jar of cherries in my cupboard and wondering if I can adapt this to a new twist on a Tiramisu. I'm a bit obsessed with this dessert at the moment because of writer Nora Ephron's recent death and published a blogpost (and her Tiramisu) recipe this week. "Tiramisu: a Nora Ephron Picku-Me-Up".
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
As an American who lived through the Cuban travel ban set by the US in 1958, I always wanted to visit Cuba. I lived in Florida and when you live there you meet Cubans, eat Cuban food and you're only 90 miles away. 90 forbidden miles, I might add.When I got my Australian passport, the ink wasn't dry before I was headed to Havana. I'd go again tomorrow because I absolutely adored the people there. I couldn't get one of these chocolate pots de creme though! I'd have to make this before I went. 🙂 They look beautiful.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
The poached cherries in red wine would certainly go well with chocolate. This is very grownup sexy dessert. It's so pretty too~~!
Chompchomp says
So decadent and divine! These look incredible!