Sunday, December 2, 2012

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Budino (Italian Pudding)

 

I went to a restaurant not long ago, with a several co-workers.  We were at a conference, and we were chatting it up when this dessert was set in front of us.  I took a bite and it was if I was on a white, fluffy cloud of pure sweet ecstasy.  So you know I had to try to find a recipe and recreate.  Here is what I found!!  It was delicious!!!  Really, really good.  I would probably use one of my other tried and true butterscotch pudding next time, but this was still fabulous.  It is not as difficult as it might seem at first, so give it a whirl and enjoy pure joy!!!
 
xoxo
***"From Chef Marcie Turney of Philadelphia's newest Italian restaurant, Barbuzzo."

 
Salted Caramel Butterscotch Budino (Italian Pudding)

Ingredients

Salted caramel
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 1/4 cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt ( the flaky kind, plus more for garnish)
    • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pudding
    • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup ( preferably grade B)
    • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
    • 1 eggs, large
    • 2 egg yolks, large
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 1/4 cup whipped cream, for serving





Yes, Virginia, there is a reason I named it "kitchen of tasty....chaos :) 


















Directions
  1. Make the salted caramel: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup and water to a boil over high heat, swirling (not stirring) to caramelize evenly. When the caramel reaches a dark amber color (about 3 minutes), remove from the heat and carefully add the cream. (The mixture will foam up.) Add the butter, sea salt and vanilla and whisk to combine. Set aside and reserve.
  2. Make the pudding: In a saucepan, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, water and salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the mixture darkens slightly in color. Remove from the heat and whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.

Directions
  1. In a large, heatproof mixing bowl, whisk the whole egg with the egg yolks and cornstarch until combined. Whisk in the maple-syrup-brown-sugar mixture in a slow, thin stream. Pour the mixture into the saucepan through a fine-mesh strainer and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens to a pudding like texture, about 5 minutes.
  2. Divide the pudding among four 8-ounce ramekins or small mason jars and top each with a quarter of the reserved caramel. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Sprinkle the top of the puddings with sea salt and a dollop of whipped cream before serving.