A Pan-Full of Comfort: Warm Chocolate Pudding

Second only to Chocolatee Chip Cookies, this evening snack of the pudding variety often graces the hands and lips of those who call the Farm home. But only in the Winterish-time. Because Warmth is the key.

Picture it: Wind whipping just outside the window, carrying along swirls of icy snow. The only light coming from inside, shining dimly. And a mug of this pudding, cradled between the hands, gently radiating its warmth through and to all.

Yes. Just for Winterish-time.

And how you make it is this:

A half cup sugar is placed in a pan and two tablespoons of good cocoa are added and stirred. Two tablespoons butter go in next, followed by one tablespoon corn syrup. A quarter cup half and half and a dash of salt finishes the job. The pan is placed over heat and let come to a boil, and continued to let boil for about three minutes, stirring here and there. After the three minutes are up, the heat is turned off and the pan left for a bit. One and a half ounces of very good chocolate (chopped) is added and stirred until all is smooth. Remove from the heat. For those of you familiar with the Farmer’s Wife and her Kitchen, this recipe may ring familiar with you. Right you are. This recipe is for her hot chocolate, but she has found it to be a good base for pudding, as well. So, she often has a large jar of it ready-made in the fridge for any hot chocolate, hot fudge, or pudding needs that may arise. You can do the same. If you do, simply take one good cup of the mixture and set it in a pan and continue with the recipe as follows: Two cups whole milk are added, as well as two yolks of two eggs from two chickens. Two tablespoons corn starch are added as well. All is stirred and stirred well and set over medium heat until it thickens and bubbles. You’ll be wanting to stir it all the while. (Did I mention the stirring part? No? Well, I am now. You’ll be wanting to stir the whole time.) Now some may set it in the fridge for a while, but not the Farmer’s Wife, and certainly not her family. This is served piping hot in ceramic mugs and placed in hands, just waiting to be warmed.