Ring in the New Year

In Spain, revelers mark the new year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. The fruit is said to be a predictor of the year ahead: Each sweet grape represents a good month, each sour grape a less-than-lucky one.

I am adopting this tradition for New Years Eve. I found this idea in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living.





New Year's Eve dessert ~ Creamiest Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa), finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Preparation
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium, heavy saucepan; stir with a whisk. Gradually add low-fat milk and evaporated milk, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute or until thick. Remove from heat; add chocolate, stirring until melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour about 2/3 cup pudding into each of 6 (8-ounce) ramekins; cover surface of each serving with plastic wrap. Chill at least 4 hours. Remove plastic wrap; serve. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.


Nutritional Information
Calories:194 (21% from fat)
Fat:4.6g (sat 2.7g,mono 0.9g,poly 0.1g)
Protein:5.9g
Carbohydrate:35g
Fiber:1.4g
Cholesterol:6mg
Iron:0.9mg
Sodium:175mg
Calcium:191mg

Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, Chocolate Therapy: Indulgent Recipes to Lift Your Spirits, Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2007