Bittersweet Chocolate Crémeux

• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk

5 large egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt

12 ounces dark chocolate (70 to 72 percent cacao), such as Valrhona Guanaja, finely chopped

Sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a simmer. Remove from the heat. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and salt. Gradually whisk in the hot cream. Transfer the mixture to the saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard is slightly thickened and coats the back of the spoon, about 5 minutes.

Strain the custard through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl. Add the chopped chocolate and let stand until melted, about 2 minutes. Whisk vigorously until smooth, then pour the crémeux into a shallow glass or ceramic dish. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the crémeux and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or overnight. Spoon the crémeux into glasses, top with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve.