Chocolate Pudding

I can't remember where I got this recipe from, but I really botched it up the first time. It was too sweet and runny. However, I've been craving pudding, so no time like my currently unemployed present to tweak it to my liking.


Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar (less than the original recipe, but I still think it could be cut down to 2 tbs)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
2.5 cups whole milk (I used milk powder (1/2 cup + 3 tbs) mixed with 2.5 cups water)
1.5 cups chopped chocolate (I used just under 2 cups of semi-sweet baking wafers)
1 tsp vanilla


Method:
In a double boiler, (I used a metal bowl set atop a pot with an inch of simmering water), combine sugar, cornstarch and salt.
Slowly add in milk. (I just made sure to stir while pouring it in, impatience and all that)
Heat until the mixture thickens to the consistency of condensed milk, or stirred yogurt (10-20 minutes). Whisk occasionally at the beginning, and almost constantly near the end to prevent lumps.
Remove from heat and stir in chocolate. Stir in vanilla and mix thoroughly.
Pour through a seive to remove lumps.
Cover and chill. If you don't want a skin forming on top, cover with saran wrap touching the pudding.
Enjoy!



Comments:
The last time I did this, I don't think I heated the milk long enough, and so it was totally runny.

I had also followed the recipe in terms of sugar, forgetting that I was using milk chocolate, and therefore was way too sweet. Even with the quick taste test just now, it seemed on the sweet side. However, it might seem so because it's warm; it might be just right once it's chilled.

The use of powdered milk is because I have some leftover from a while back, when I made gulab jamun (not posted here). I figured milk, no matter what form, probably has a limited shelf life, so I used it.

I don't have ramekins, and even if I did, I don't think I would've used them, since I likely wouldn't have covers. (I don't like to use disposable things if I don't have to) I can appreciate that it'd probably be more aesthetically pleasing, though.

If you have bar stools, I suggest pulling one up to the stove while you wait for the mixture to thicken =P


Verdict:
Lovely texture, but still too sweet. No pictures, as it really isn't that pretty =P