Recipe: Chocolate Pudding

It wouldn't be Valentines Day without a chocolate recipe. This one is very simple. Pudding has gotten a bad reputation since the introduction of "instant." It's not as popular these days as chocolate mousse, but there is nothing more satisfying than a bowl full of pudding made from scratch. And, it's actually faster to make than chocolate mousse. This is my grandmother's recipe.

Ingredients
3 T. Cocoa
4 T. Cornstarch
6 T. Sugar
2 Cups milk
A pinch of salt

Directions
1. Mix the cocoa, cornstarch, sugar and salt together in a small bowl.

2. Gradually add 1/2 cup milk and blend into a thick paste.

3. Scald the remaining milk in a saucepan over medium high heat.

4. Add the chocolate mixture, gradually. Reduce the heat. Cook while stirring, until the pudding thickens, about 5-minutes.

5. Remove from the heat and pour into a 1-quart bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap on the pudding's surface, to prevent a skin from forming. Chill.

Makes 4 servings.

About the Authors: Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are the co-authors of the award winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out their website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit www.TogetherParenting.com

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