Dark chocolate and coconut milk creams — Petits pots de crème au chocolat et au lait de coco

December 13, 2009

chocolate meringue coconut milk

Dark chocolate and coconut milk creams

I know. I am not writing a lot in this space these days, but I promise that there’s a lot of food prepared in my kitchen. I sometimes wonder how comes it disappears so quickly!

Anyway, while I am trying to find time to write something that will sound cohesive — yes, well, let’s just add that I sent my book manuscript to my editor last week, so I am feeling deflated for words — at least I can show you what we enjoyed today for dessert.

Our Sunday treat.

eggs

It’s the sweetest thing: I woke up thinking chocolate! I wanted a chocolate dessert.

Chocolate and coconut milk creams

The dessert was going to have a dark chocolate with character, coconut milk, and lightly sweetened meringues baked on top. I had already made chocolate creams last week and thought to bake another batch, adding a meringue on top — a lovely idea that I was inspired to try from a recipe found in a recent copy of the French food magazine Saveurs.

Swoon.

The creams were delicate and deliciously smooth. They tasted like December and snow and winter and I-want-to-make-a nest-inside. That alone made me suddenly realize that Christmas is just at the corner.

It made me think about that exact same day last year, when our beautiful bébé Lulu was born. Can it be one year ago already?

Somehow, the memory of that magical, powerful and incredible time of our life came back, leaving us emotional. I remember the pavlova I baked the day we left quietly for the hospital, and the cakes I had baked one day before.

My head is filled with those vivid images. They make us feel cozy.

Ready to enjoy this upcoming family time. In our small nest.

With chocolate.

For Lulu’s birthday.

Chocolate and coconut milk creams

(For 6 jars)

You need:

    For the creams:

  • 1 egg + 2 egg yolks
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 5 cardamom pods
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 oz (60 g) dark chocolate (64 %)
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

For the meringue:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 oz confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 320 F. Heat the milk with the coconut milk to barely boiling point. Add the cardamom pods and let rest for 20 minutes, covered, away from heat. Filter and keep warm.
  • Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg and egg yolks with the sugar. Stir in the chocolate and then the cocoa powder.
  • Pour the milk slowly while stirring and then the cocoa. Divide the creams between small ovenproof jars.
  • Bake the creams in a water bath for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the creams are set when you giggle them gently (if the middle moves a tiny bit, that’s good as the creams set when they cool). Remove them from the water bath and let completely cool. Refrigerate for a few hours, covered.
  • To make the meringue. preheat the oven to 400 F. In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the egg white until soft peaks form. Add the sugar progressively while beating. Continue until the meringue is glossy. Use a decoration bag to pipe the meringue on top of the creams. Bake for 8 minutes, or until the meringues turn light brown in color. Remove from the oven and enjoy.
Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
Tagged as: Chocolate , Dessert , French Inspired , Gluten Free , Life and Us
Save to del.icio.us

53 Comments »

The comments for this entry can be syndicated via RSS. You can trackback from your own site.

  1. congrats on sending in your manuscript! sweet little lulu is almost one?!? time flies. you’re very right, winter is the perfect time for little cozy nests… and chocolate.

    Comment by beyond — On December, 13th, 2009 at 11:27 pm

  2. Beautiful winter shots and delicious little creams!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Comment by Rosa — On December, 13th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

  3. Ahhh la photo de l’arbre sous la neige! Ca me fait envie. C’est pas a L.A. qu’on va avoir ca!
    Les petits pots ont l’air delich’ mais pas pour ce soir: crise de foie carabinee.
    Bonne Anniv Lulu! Roman a fete ses 1 an la semaine derniere.

    Comment by Marie-Anne — On December, 14th, 2009 at 12:33 am

  4. happy birthday lulu!

    Comment by kat — On December, 14th, 2009 at 12:34 am

  5. It’s amazing how quickly time flies. I can’t believe Christmas is literally just around the corner. Lots of milestones for you? Lulu’s birthday and the manuscript done. What will you do with all your spare time! ;)

    Comment by Julia @ Mélanger — On December, 14th, 2009 at 12:57 am

  6. Happy birthday to your precious Lulu!…I wish you many many moments of happiness with your little princess!…Congratulations for your manuscript, I’m sooo glad! I hope it will be shipped internationally via internet, I’m sure a lot of people are interested, including me of course!

    Comment by Dimitra — On December, 14th, 2009 at 1:30 am

  7. Joyeux anniversaire à Lulu! Mon petit bonhomme a fêté un an hier, c’est dingue comme le temps passe vite!

    Comment by kouka — On December, 14th, 2009 at 2:25 am

  8. Such lovely snow!

    Comment by Nathalie (Spacedlaw) — On December, 14th, 2009 at 3:17 am

  9. Comme tes histoires sont toujours si joliment racontées et tes images nous font voyager dans un monde doux et délicat… J’adore te lire !
    Bon anniversaire à Lulu !!!!

    Comment by midinettes — On December, 14th, 2009 at 4:12 am

  10. Le temps passe si vite !
    En tous les cas, ces petits trésors chocolatés devraient bien t’aider :)
    Bises

    Comment by L'Atelier Océane — On December, 14th, 2009 at 4:31 am

  11. I’m lovin’ those little pots! I wonder where I can get some of that..

    Comment by peachkins — On December, 14th, 2009 at 5:35 am

  12. Congratulations on Lulu’ s birthday! It’s amazing that it has already been a year!

    Comment by Simone van den Berg — On December, 14th, 2009 at 5:45 am

  13. mmm, i’ll have to try making these…gorgeous shots, as always!

    Comment by Reva — On December, 14th, 2009 at 6:37 am

  14. Happy Birthday Little Lulu..Just last night I looked at photos of my 4 yr old grandson at the age of 1.. you will be astonished at how time flies!! Lulu will just get sweeter and sweeter:)

    Thank you for your lovely blog~.

    Comment by Monique — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:02 am

  15. Your blog is so lovely! You are an incredible photographer– I can’t wait to see your book!
    Where do you get your sweet little jars for this recipe??

    Comment by sk — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:16 am

  16. Gorgeous post. In every way.

    Comment by GF Patisserie — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:23 am

  17. I wish we had snow here in London! Love your winter photos. And the sound of hot chocolate cream, yum! Congrats of finishing your manuscript. Can’t wait to buy your cookbook when it comes out! :)

    Comment by Sari — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:47 am

  18. Happy birthday Lulu! And these look so amazing – perfect for celebrating.

    Comment by Alta — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:54 am

  19. Happy Birthday Lulu!!! What a gorgeous birthday she will enjoy, with this still winter landscape and these pleasant chocolat creams! Béa, you have got the very same “ramequins” (I don’t know the english word, sorry) I have (mine used to contain goat yoghurt!!!)and that suggest me a simple practical question: are they good for baking? Do they resist to oven heat?

    Comment by Onde99 — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:24 am

  20. Chez nous aussi, on a de la belle neige et cela me donne le goût d’une belle petite crème au chocolat.

    Les photos sont vraiment magnifiques.

    Comment by Miss Diane — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am

  21. J’ai oublié la petite Lulu – Bonne fête petite puce!

    Comment by Miss Diane — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:45 am

  22. Happy Birthday to Lulu! And congrats on finishing your manuscript. Sounds like this is a week of milestones, just in time to look back, feel proud and enjoy the holidays! You deserve it.
    P.S. Found some jars at the Container Store in Chestnut Hill–what you were looking for I think.

    Comment by Sally — On December, 14th, 2009 at 10:03 am

  23. Congratulations on submitting your manuscript. That’s quite an accomplishment. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with these wonderful chocolate desserts.

    Comment by El — On December, 14th, 2009 at 10:23 am

  24. Congratulations on both counts: Lulu and manuscript (in this order! :-)

    Loved the dessert, and the jars are way too cute too…

    Comment by SallyBR — On December, 14th, 2009 at 10:52 am

  25. We finally have lots of snow too. Beautiful photos. Great news that the manuscript has been submitted. Now enjoy the holidays and especially Lulu’s b-day. Are you planning a special dessert for her first birthday? Good to hear from you!

    Comment by valérie-jeanne — On December, 14th, 2009 at 11:23 am

  26. [...] Dark chocolate and coconut milk creams — Petits pots de crème au chocolat et au lait de coco [...]

    Pingback by Moonlit Minds « Moonlit Minds — On December, 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

  27. What a beautiful, wonderful post – as always. Many felicitations to lovely Lulu and congrats on finishing the manuscript. We all await the publication. I also wonder where you got the charming “pots”. I’ll be making the chocolate dessert for a catering gig I have in January – but of course will have to try it out on the family first! Many thanks.

    Comment by Suzanne Mclean — On December, 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

  28. Bonjour!

    Je suis votre blog depuis bientôt un an (sans trop laisser de commentaires) et j’ai régalé mon entourage avec plusieurs de vos recettes.

    Est-ce que vous pourriez également mettre cette recette en francais s’il vous plaît?

    Est-ce que votre livre paraîtra en Europe?

    Céline

    Comment by Céline — On December, 14th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

  29. Oh wonderful snow… not much of it here in Buenos Aires ;)

    Happy Birthday Lulu!

    Comment by Sini — On December, 14th, 2009 at 5:31 pm

  30. that sounds delicious! can’t wait to try it… <3 the photos are amazing, bea! the first one with the wide shot and the big tree and the little tiny picnic table underneath is… so amazing. i really love it!

    Comment by Corynne — On December, 14th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

  31. What a beautiful post. And congratulations on getting the manuscript in – that’s a HUGE accomplishment.

    Comment by eatlivetravelwrite — On December, 14th, 2009 at 6:25 pm

  32. Happy birthday to Lulu! Now that she is one, she’ll be able to enjoy more of your wonderful food, n’est-ce-pas? But, I’m sure she has already tasted a lot of very good things! Elle en a de la chance! Congratulations for your manuscript!
    Bonnes fetes de fin d’annee sous la neige!

    Comment by Gaelle@whatareyoufeedingyourkidsthesedays.com — On December, 14th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

  33. Mumm…I’ve been craving something with coconut milk….must be the winter blues. Looks yummy.

    Comment by Ashley — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

  34. I can imagine the warmth feeling inside, though I’m no father yet. :)
    X’mas is drawing nigh indeed, and it’ll be cool to see some puddings, cookies, eggnogs, turkeys and such appearing in your entries.

    Comment by J2Kfm — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

  35. Absolutely lovely. I love your seasonal landscapes and matching food shots. I’m always tempted by chocolate. These look wonderful. :-)

    Comment by Rob — On December, 14th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

  36. Magnifique billet !
    J’ai encore fait dernièrement ces petits pots de crème avec de la compote de poire vanillée… On ne s’en lasse pas !
    Et joyeux anniversaire à la petite Lulu ! Un an déjà…

    Comment by Vanille — On December, 14th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

  37. I cannot say this enough; your photos are so beautiful and the food looks exquisite.

    Comment by S. — On December, 15th, 2009 at 12:52 am

  38. Bea, they look so pretty in the small bottles – coconut and chocolate make one of the most delicious combos out there.

    Comment by Patricia Scarpin — On December, 15th, 2009 at 6:07 am

  39. brilliant as always…..great recipe and photos… i just love them both..
    such a multitalented woman…bea..j’adore…

    dear little lulu…happy birthday :)
    and congratz for d manuscript too…happy holidayyyyy :)

    Comment by fifi — On December, 15th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

  40. Well done on the book and happy birthday Lulu. I have enjoyed her pictures as she has grown. Love those little ceramic pots!

    Comment by Noreen — On December, 15th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

  41. Many many thanks everyone! Very sweet…

    Yes, there’ll be cake for Lulu’s birthday party. I am making banana, apple and pumpkin cupcakes and also, pour les grands, chocolate cakes, of course!

    Comment by Béa — On December, 15th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

  42. happy birthday to lulu!
    kiss->her:)

    Comment by YOYO love cooking — On December, 15th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

  43. I think i will test this recipe this afternoon!
    The photos are beautiful

    Comment by choco_lemon — On December, 16th, 2009 at 1:23 am

  44. Help help ! Où est le coin français !

    Comment by Stéphanie — On December, 16th, 2009 at 7:19 am

  45. I made the creams this afternoon and…. they are just PERFECT.
    Love from Holland, Stella

    Comment by Stella — On December, 16th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

  46. Wonderful. this is just so good. Very well and beautifully executed. I just love your photographs. these are just so awesome. Love them all.

    Thank you.

    Comment by Neel | Learn Food Photography — On December, 16th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

  47. Dear Beatrice,

    happy birthday to your lovely Lulu! I am so sorry to have missed the right day – Nora has began pulling herself up on her feet now, so I constantly have to be on watch :O

    Hope to see some updated photos of Lulu soon ;)

    Hugs to all three of you,

    Pille + family

    Comment by Pille — On December, 18th, 2009 at 11:41 am

  48. Comme elles sont jolies tes photos! Et ces petits pots de creme… Joyeux Anniversaire pour ta petite LuLu. :-)

    Comment by Alexa — On December, 18th, 2009 at 8:59 pm

  49. love your blog
    Where did you find this gorgeous purpuly/pink spoon ? in the chocolate coconut pudding

    Comment by vrinda — On December, 21st, 2009 at 11:40 pm

  50. Bonne Fete Lulu… Meilleurs souhaits de bonheur et de santé.

    Comment by Karine — On December, 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm

  51. Drooling at the dessert and your photos! Marvelous!

    Comment by Nadia — On January, 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm

  52. I devour your stunning words and photography! Food for my soul………thank you!

    Comment by Roz — On January, 3rd, 2010 at 3:04 pm

  53. beautiful pictures and desserts — and I also love the little containers and jars!

    Comment by Annie — On January, 7th, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Leave a comment

Copyright © 2005 - 2010 by Béatrice Peltre. All rights reserved. Photo licensing info.