Old Fashion Double Chocolate Pudding

Unsweetened baking chocolate - 2 oz - grated
Sugar - 1 cup
Milk - 1 cup

Cornstarch - 3 tbsp
Cocoa - 3 tbsp
Milk - 1.5 cup

Butter - 2 tbsp - cold and cut into small pieces
Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp

1- Mix cornstarch and cocoa well before adding in second cup of milk - mix well.
2- On a double boiler, melt chocolate and sugar in 1 cup of milk.
3- Fold in cornstarch cocoa milk goo into the double boiler. Mix slowly over heat. Stir and cook for about 8 mins.
4- Cover the pan and steam for another 8 mins.
5- Turn off the stove and let the pan sit for 5 minutes. Carefully mix in the butter.
6- Wait for another 5 minutes, then fold in vanilla extract.
7- Divide the pudding into small ceramic bowls and serve warm or chill them in the fridge.

N.B. This is a stiff and bitter chocolate pudding. Would be very nice serve with some fresh whipped cream.

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The Ceramic cups are made by Mizuyo Yamashita in cone 8 porcelain.

Masago and Sweet Seaweed Salad

This is a quick 'Asian Confusion' salad that I really like. It's very easy and it can be made into a fancy salad if you add sashimi to it. Or you can make it more Asian-confused by wrapping inside a Vietnamese Summer Roll with shrimps.



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The Dish
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Romaine Lettuce - 2 small heart - cut into 2" pieces
Masago Caviar - 3 tbps
Japanese Seasoned Seaweed - 3 tbps
Store bought Miso Dressing - to taste

1-- Tossed salad dressing with lettuce.
2- Sprinkle Masago and Seaweed on top of salad and there you have it.
3 - Serve 4

Thanks to Michelle who gave me the recipe at Christmas.

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The Ceramic
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Kim Westad Hand Thrown Porcelain



I met Kim at the BUST Holiday 08 show. I have much respect to anybody who put lots of slip dots on the wares and make them into nice designs. The picture does not do the nice tactile quality justice. I especially love the surprise details inside the bowl. Her shop at etsy if you want to see more of her work.