July 24, 2011

Chocolate Mint Pots de Crème





Sometimes I do things backwards.  Instead of seeing a recipe I like and then wondering what I could make it in, I see a beautiful baking tin, pie plate, or in this case ramekin, and then I go looking for a recipe to suit it.

In this case I came across a recipe for these beautiful Pots de Crème in Sunset magazine.  I just loved the sound of chocolate mint and the pretty pale green color of the custard.  Who wouldn't like the idea of a custard that tastes like a peppermint patty?

I had never heard of chocolate mint before but I was lucky enough to find a plant at my local farmers' market.  This amazing herb comes from the spearmint family and has a purple stem with green leaves. You can use it like any mint plant in drinks, salads, desserts, sauces or as a garnish. I have it growing in a big pot and it has taken off like crazy.  I think this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

You need to start this recipe earlier in the day if you plan on serving it on the same day since it needs to steep for two hours to infuse the mint flavor, and then it requires chilling after you have made the custard.  Other than that it is a very simple dessert that will impress everyone after the first bite.





 

Chocolate Mint Pots de Crème 
(Printer Friendly Recipe)
 
Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 ounces (3 big handfuls) chocolate mint sprigs, plus leaves for garnish
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • Sweetened whipped cream
  • 1/2 cup chocolate shavings

Preparation   
  1. Heat together cream, milk, and mint in a medium pot over medium heat until mixture starts to simmer. 
  2. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep about 2 hours.  
  3. Preheat oven to 300°F. 
  4. Set 8 ramekins (4 oz. each) in a large roasting pan or baking dish.  
  5. Reheat cream mixture to a simmer; strain into a medium bowl. 
  6. Whisk together sugar and yolks in a large bowl, slowly add cream to yolk mixture, whisking constantly.  
  7. Pour mixture into ramekins, dividing evenly. 
  8. Fill pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up sides of ramekins.  
  9. Cover pan with foil and bake until custards are set and jiggle only slightly in the center, about 30 minutes. 
  10. Remove from oven and let sit in hot water 30 minutes. 
  11. Transfer ramekins to a baking sheet, cover, and chill at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.  
  12. Serve with whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and chocolate shavings, if desired.
 
Recipe by Sunset magazine





     

    32 comments:

    1. Oh, I really want to make this, it sounds delicious!

      It looks so pretty in your chosen dishes too :-)

      ReplyDelete
    2. Ooh, we love pots de creme! Gorgeous presentation in your lovely new ramekins~

      ReplyDelete
    3. You painted such a lovely picture with your beautiful pots de creme in those adorable ramekins. They look so delicious, too.

      ReplyDelete
    4. I am still on the look out for the chocolate mint herb. It is one of those things I am determined to find because I love these two flavors together.
      Your dessert is elegant and no doubt delicious-great post!

      ReplyDelete
    5. What a great idea using the herb chocolate mint rather than chocolate and mint! Very clever Felice!

      ReplyDelete
    6. What a great idea using the herb chocolate mint instead of actual chocolate and mint! You're so clever Felice! :D

      ReplyDelete
    7. Lovely ramekins! I am growing chocolate mint in my back yard, but they didn’t grow enough to get 3 big hand full’s yet. Maybe next year! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

      ReplyDelete
    8. Wow these are almost too pretty to eat!! They look delicious! :)

      ReplyDelete
    9. These sound delicious! They look creamy and yummy! I have never heard of Chocolate Mint before, I will have to keep my eye out for it. I love the little bowls in your picture!

      ReplyDelete
    10. I've seen chocolate mint mentioned somewhere else but I still haven't seen it where I am. Is it only grew certain places?

      ReplyDelete
    11. @TheChocolatePriestess It is from the mint family so it should grow well just about anywhere. I found a site that sells the plants and has some information for you - http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/Mint-Chocolate-2p22.htm

      ReplyDelete
    12. I love the combination of mint and chocolate - but I've never heard of them in pots de creme. Sounds delicious - and your pictures are beautiful!

      ReplyDelete
    13. I love pots de creme! I made them for the first time this year, these look so good and I love the chocolate mint flavors!

      ReplyDelete
    14. I didn't know chocolate mint was the name of a plant. I learn something new everyday. Thanks! :)

      ReplyDelete
    15. This looks beautiful! I love the chocolate and mint too. Yum!

      ReplyDelete
    16. I love these! I spent so many years in retail that I would always buy the dishes first. I thought that was the way you were supposed to do it! :) I have a lot of ramekins but nothing that cute. Your pot de creme looks amazing.

      ReplyDelete
    17. What beautiful little desserts. I totally buy dishes without cause - then spend time justifying the purchase by trying to find things to utilize them with. We're food bloggers - all part of the cause! :D

      ReplyDelete
    18. ha ha ha , i thought I'm the only one with this problem. I see beautiful baking dishes, buy them and then think what I'm going to use them for.
      Love your pots de creme! love the chocolate mint, wish I had a little more in front of the house, maybe next year

      ReplyDelete
    19. I see that patience is required with this yummy dessert and that my friend will be a challenge. It looks so good I'd want to dive right into it.

      ReplyDelete
    20. I've never heard of chocolate mint before either, but I love the thought of it! This dessert was probably made for those dishes, anyway. I love them!

      ReplyDelete
    21. My daughter has been nagging me for something chocolate mint, I will have to show her these, I'm sure she would love them. Hope you are having a great week.
      -Gina-

      ReplyDelete
    22. These look amazing!
      And the dishes is so pretty =) <3

      ReplyDelete
    23. that looks fabulous! those cups are adorable too :)

      ReplyDelete
    24. This is really a great chocolate mint dessert, me and my wife will try to make something, like you did, this weekend. I hope it will turn out great. I will let you know.

      Regards.

      ReplyDelete
    25. Ooh these look so delicious and simple too! ^^ I would love to try a variation on these!

      ReplyDelete
    26. What gorgeous little pots of fresh heaven - look beautiful :D

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru
      Latest: Traditional Lemon Meringue Tart

      ReplyDelete
    27. These are so cute and delicious - a fresh taste and gorgeous to the boot :D

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru
      Latest: Traditional Lemon Meringue Tart

      ReplyDelete
    28. This is such a lovely recipe. Aloha, Felice! This is my first visit and plan to stop by more often. Regards!

      ReplyDelete
    29. hello!
      you won the giveaway at my blog.the Pie It Forward Cookbook
      i sent you an email but haven't heard back from you
      please email me!!!

      ReplyDelete
    30. Hehe I do the same when I see something pretty! These look wonderful and I bet are a real crowd pleaser :D

      ReplyDelete
    31. Very beautiful desserts!

      Happy to follow your blog for more of delicious desserts :D

      ReplyDelete

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.