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Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest (San Diego’s gayborhood) lies an adorable little restaurant called Chocolat. Serving up an impressive selection of desserts, Chocolat is very well known for their rich, creamy gelato. A few months ago, I was standing in front of their dizzying array gelato flavors unsure of what I was going to order. I wasn’t quite in the mood for my tried-and-true favorites, coconut and lemon. Lost in a sea of swirls, my eyes darted from each ingredient sitting atop the colorful, undulating landscape. Fire red chiles slashed across an Aztec brown Chilli Chocolate gelato. A flurry of finely ground espresso dusted over the Tiramisu gelato. Thin strands of hard chocolate woven into a lattice atop the Stracciatella. So many choices!!
The friendly gal behind the counter could clearly see that I was overwhelmed with options and provided me with a suggestion. One scoop of dark chocolate. One scoop of pistachio. After just one bite, I was hooked. The saltiness of the pistachio gelato worked perfectly with the bittersweet complexity of the dark chocolate. I just knew I had to try to recreate this flavor combination at home. Made with extra bittersweet chocolate and pistachio-steeped milk, these Chocolate Pistachio Pots de Creme are salty, sweet and impossibly decadent. Topped with a cloud of freshly whipped cream and a dusting of pistachio sugar, these perfect little pots are guaranteed to satisfy my chocolate-pistachio craving any time it comes around. Continue reading for the recipe. I’ve also announced the winner of my recent slow cooker giveaway!
And the winner is… Heather [Comment 64]
Congratulations! I will be contacting you via email to coordinate sending out the slow cooker. If you have not responded by 11:59pm on Sunday, June 10, I will need to select another winner. Thanks to all who participated!
Chocolate Pistachio Pots de Creme
Ingredients
- 1 cup pistachios, lightly toasted
- 40 grams confectioners’ sugar (about 1/3 cup)
- 1/8 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, plus a pinch
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 115 grams bittersweet chocolate (72 percent cocoa), chopped*
- 4 large egg yolks
- 45 grams white sugar (about 3 tablespoons)
- Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Add pistachios, confectioners' sugar and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt to a food processor and process for about 5 minutes, reducing the mixture to somewhat coarse rubble.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 3/4 cup of the pistachio mixture with the milk and cream. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Drop the heat down to just maintain the simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 20 minutes.
- While you are waiting, prep the chocolate, egg yolks and ramekins. Place chocolate in a large bowl and set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, white sugar and a pinch of salt until the yolks turn pale yellow. Set aside. Place 6 small ramekins (or oven-proof bowls) into a baking dish. Bring a kettle of water to a boil (to be used for the water bath).
- After the 20 minute steeping period, turn the heat back to medium under the pot with pistachio-milk mixture. As soon as the mixture comes back to a simmer, carefully pour through a fine-mesh basket strainer into the bowl with the chocolate. Press down on the pistachio solids to extract all liquid. Whisk the chocolate and infused milk until smooth and well combined.
- While whisking, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl with the yolks. If you go too fast here you will scramble the eggs! Keep on whisking until everything is well-combined.
- Ladle the mixture into the 6 prepared ramekins. Carefully fill the baking dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover tightly with foil and prick all over with a fork. Transfer to the oven and bake until the pots de creme are set, but still a bit wobbly (35 to 45 minutes). Around minute 30, I tested mine by unwrapping the foil then shaking the baking dish gently. They were a bit too wobbly, so I recovered and baked a bit longer.
- Cool to room temperature, then cover the pots with plastic and chill for several hours until firm.
- To serve, dollop whipped cream on top, then finish with a sprinkling of the pistachio-sugar mixture.
Notes
4
Ann P says
I’ve got to make my way down to Chocolat! That gelato sounds amazing, as do these pots de creme! The fiance is a big fan of pistachio, and I am a huger fan of chocolate, so I know these would be perfect for dessert soon. 🙂 Also, where did you get those little ceramic bowls? They’re so cute, and I would love to pick up a set!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks!! Yes, you need to go visit. Super tasty. The bowls are also from Anthro 😉
Spencer says
How good do they look? Absolutely delicious! I would so love to try some. I reckon I would eat the lot in 5 minutes flat!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Spencer! Yes, I devoured one of those bowls in a matter of moments 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Every day I run past Chocolat and drive by it about 3 more times. I have never been in. It’s like the forbidden fruit. Now I can recreate at home..thank you!
Brandon Matzek says
You totally need to go in 🙂
Erin Motz says
I was born on the wrong coast! 😉 These look fabulous, by the way. Thanks for sharing!
Mara @ Elemental Custard says
Yummmmmm. These look fantastic! I was just thinking about a chocolate and pistachio dessert ( I love the contrast in colour with the green and deep rich brown).
Sharyn DImmick says
This sounds lovely, Brandon. Such a good idea to steep pistachios in milk (and I just bought a bag yesterday).
hena tayeb says
This looks delicious.. my 2year old literally reached into my computer screen and began to pretend to eat some and fed me some too.. 🙂
Kasey says
I love the combination of chocolate and pistachio! When I lived in San Diego, I didn’t spend as much time in Hillcrest as I would have liked. I think if I ever moved back, I would totally want to live there. Chocolat sounds like my kind of place.
Brandon Matzek says
Oh, I didn’t know you lived in SD 🙂 Yeah, Hillcrest is a fun area. I think the entire Uptown area has the best restaurants.
M says
Perfection. Guests raved and ate slowly, quietly, contentedly (a sign of complex, decadent flavors being enjoyed!). Mine were done in 40 minutes? Had nearly 1C of pistachio-sugar mix leftover, will reduce amounts next time.
Brandon Matzek says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!! 40 minutes sounds right. Yes, I remember now that there was a decent amount of pistachio-sugar left. I was sprinkling it on everything for a few weeks 🙂