The moment I saw the name Antonia Lofaso in an email I was sent I immediately jumped on board. I didn’t know what the email was about or what it required me to do but I did know that I was inspired by Antonia Lofaso on Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars and I wanted to be apart of whatever she was doing.
The email as you all may have guessed by now consisted or doing a review of Antonia’s new cookbook called the Busy Mom’s Cookbook.
She is mother to a beautiful eleven-year old and prides herself on cooking delicious flavorful yet easy meals regardless of how busy or consuming the day has been, something I find satisfaction in myself. The Busy Mom’s Cookbook is a busy mother’s guide to easily reconnect with family and friends through the shared pleasures of cooking and enjoying meals at home. “These dishes invite you to stay at the table and laugh and talk together, whether you’re a party of two or twenty.”
My favorite quote in the book from Antonia is when she says, “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if your experience of family is a mom and her preschooler coloring pictures and telling knock-knock jokes while they eat or a rowdy gathering of parents and kids, aunties and uncles, grandparents and friends fiercely debating which team will win the next big game. It’s all family, and its time to gather our families around the table again.”
After a quick glance through the cookbook I had already bookmarked several recipes that caught my attention but I was immediately drawn to the spiced chocolate pudding with salted whipped cream, in part because it sounded absolutely phenomenal and because chocolate pudding/pie reminds me of cooking with my mom during Christmas. My grandfather and my dad’s favorite pie is good old country chocolate pie with a slap your mama meringue on top. If a recipe has to do with chocolate pudding I am all game. The spices of adobe and red pepper flakes brought the idea of a little heat to light. The chocolate paired so nicely with the seasonings and I actually enjoyed how refreshing the whipped cream became once you took a bite after the chocolate pudding. It was one of my favorite flavor combinations- sweet but heat- hot but refreshing. Of course you don’t have to have your pudding warm but I love it warm and so I opted to stash the pudding in cute little jars and well– I got after it!
The Busy Mom’s Cookbook hits stores today so what are you waiting for? From dishes like The Best Blueberry Muffins, Fish Tacos with Three Cheeses, Deep Fried Fluffer Nutter Sandwich and Beef Stroganoff with creamy Pappardelle, there a plenty of recipes to suit your needs and your family.
- 2 dried ancho chile peppers, chopped with seeds or 1 tsp ancho chile powder
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1.2 cup cocoa powder
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- For the topping:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 TBSP salt
- If using the ancho chile peppers- stick them in the oven for 5 minutes to toast them. If using the powder skip this step.
- In a 2 quart pot over medium heat combine the chile pepper, cream, milk, sugar, cocoa and red pepper flakes. Bring to a scald (not a boil- just heat until film forms on the top of the liquid)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks with the cornstarch. Now we need to temper. Ladle two scoops of the chocolate milk mixture into the eggs slowly, whisking constantly. Slowly whisk the now-tempered egg mixture back into the rest of the chocolate in the pot. Continue to stir on low heat 3-4 minutes. Mixture will come together and begin to thicken. It will become even thicker as it cools.
- Strain the mixture to remove the chile peppers (if using) and pour into your choice of container or bowl. Refrigerate to cool or serve warm with whipped cream.
- For the cream- Combine the heavy cream and salt in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for by hand for 2-3 minutes (if using mixer or 8 minutes if using hand). Beat until medium peaks form. Serve on top of the pudding. Enjoy!
Never heard of that cookbook. Thanks for sharing and the pudding looks delicious!
There are a lot of tinhgs I miss from the 1970s and a few tinhgs from the 1980s (mainly TV shows and video games/pinball machines).From the ’70s, I miss Teaberry gum, Captain Kangaroo (would love for my son to watch him), Thanksgiving Day parades without Broadway shows incorporated, BooBerry cereal, 3D baseball cards in my cereal box, politically incorrect James Bonds, politically incorrect anything, Miller Lite commercials (today’s are so bad and so anti-men), Snik-Snak candy bars, Hostess Ho-Hos (the way they used to taste), drive-in movie theaters, the Saturday morning cartoons, Merita breads (including donuts and individual cakes), Sealtest milk and ice cream, bank-track Roller Derby, and oh, I could go on and on. There was one other item that I wanted to mention but I don’t remember the name. It was a soft cinnamon bread product shaped like connected corn cobs that you put in the toaster like pop tarts. Loved em with butter.
This sounds unique and so delicious!! I love the mix of sweet and spicy!
Me too Shea! That is exactly why I picked this one:) hope you have a great weekend
Salted whipped cream and chocolate sound incredible, Jessica. I love that you have presented the pudding in those adorable little preserve jars. We don’t get this show in Canada, but I will check out her blog.
I adored her on Top Chef! She was always one of my very faves. This pudding looks phenomenal! Must make. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You would love this pudding. It sounds just liked her too from what she cooked on the shows
I’ve never been much of a pudding guy, but I have to admit that the salted whipped cream is getting me pretty excited. 😉
Lol! Most guys aren’t- neither is my hubby! But this one he loves
Wow, that’s a whole ton of salt in the cream, but I bet it tastes great. I’m intrigued though… would the salt not cause the cream to separate out? I’ll have to give it a try I think – it sure looks fantastic!
Actually the salt doesn’t have any effect on the cream because of when you put it in. Once you almost have your soft peaks forming that is when you use the salt. The outcome is just amazing.
Yum! And great presentation with the Mason jars.
This dessert looks so luscious and delicious! I know I’ll enjoy it as I am currently into the sweet-salty combination of dark chocolate with sea salt.
There honestly is nothing like a good old pudding, especially if it’s topped with whipped cream. How did your kids rate this pudding with the spice?
I love family dinners as well. It’s my favorite time of day when we all cluster around the table and share our day together. I really believe it brings and keeps a family together. We try and sit down as a family every night. As my kids are getting older and activities are pulling them out later and later, we still try and eat together, even if that means eating a bit later.
I will definitely check out Antonia’s cookbook.
Glad you asked:) connor of course is to young but grant actually liked it. The spice in the pudding is there but surprisingly isn’t out front in the dish so you get a hint but not to much z
Ooh love the idea of the salted whipped cream.
🙂 Mandy
That chocolate pudding looks really creamy and airy. And salted whipped cream…that’s just amazing!
Can we discuss real whipped cream? It is amazing. I just want to sit and eat the whole bowl. What a dessert!
What a fun dessert! No one would expect a spicy chocolate but i can so see how this would taste fabulous! I always made a point to have dinner with my kids regardless of how busy we were we took the time to sit down…and light candles! It was a ritual, kind of calming effect and they were excited once they were older to be able to light the candles themselves!
What a wonderful tradition. I am looking forward to making those same traditions with my kids as they get older. Right now it’s a struggle to get the 3 yr old just to sit still:)
salted whipped cream! I guess it would have worked well with spiced chocolate pudding. I don’t buy cookbooks but this sounds interesting, I will hint my daughter so that she should gift me.
Im reviewing this cookbook next week! I haven’t decided what to make yet but this pudding is high up on my list.
This looks so good that I truly want to eat it right this very second.
This looks awesome. I love the idea of the salted whipped cream, too. I love a little saltiness with my chocolate.
Glad I’m not the only one! I was not sure about the pepper but the salt I was excited about!!
Wonderful! sure to become a family favorite!
Mary x
Wow, sounds wonderful and looks delicious! Salted whipped cream, perfect combination with the chocolate! Will go take a look into this book!
What a unique, spicy twist on chocolate pudding! This is a new food chef that I’ll need to follow! Thanks for the introduction to her!
You would enjoy watching her roz. She is creative but still keeps a home feeling about her dishes! Thanks for stopping by!
i’m always a little curious about the chillies in chocolate but your pudding looks very good, rich and creamy! i must chk out this cookbook too!
Spiced chocolate pudding sounds awesome. I’ve never heard salted whipped cream. Wonder how it tastes like. Have a wonderful weekend Jessica! 🙂
It tastes fantastic Nami! I know you would live it. Full of body and flavor and makes the pudding feel so much more in depth
Love the idea of adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. That woud give a lovely kick 🙂
Oh the red pepper made the pudding so special. I have to admit I was a little skeptical but it was amazing
I love the salted cream idea paired with the chocolate pudding
There is definitely something about salt and chocolate that go together-its an unlikely match but, it works! Fun that you got to do a cookbook review for one of your favorite chefs.
Velva
I agree Velva. Salt and chocolate surprisingly attract so well to each other! I think they are delightful together.
who can resist? It looks divined! And it’s all about priorities isn’t it and what a great book to remind families that eating as a family is just as important if not more so than other tasks!
I’m all for desserts in a jar! This chocolate pudding with a touch of salt sounds phenomenal!
The salt really upped it to a whole new level! So glad I decided to do that recipe from the book.
Man, does your pudding look creamy and delish!! And what a cute presentation~
I loved Antonia too! This pudding looks A-mazing…esp with the salted whipped cream?!!! Yum!
You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something which I think I’d never understand. It seems too complex and extremely huge for me. I’m taking a look forward in your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!