Chocolate Budino With Candied Walnuts

• servings: 6 items

Ingredients

½ cup sugar

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Kosher salt

1 cup bittersweet chocolate wafers (disks, pistoles, fèves; preferably 70%–74% cacao) or 5 oz. chocolate, finely chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

6 large egg yolks

¼ cup sugar

¾ tsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (preferably Olio Verde), plus more for serving

Flaky sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Salted caramel gelato or ice cream (for serving; optional)

Directions

Bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling occasionally to dissolve sugar. As soon as the sugar is dissolved, add walnuts and bring syrup back up to a simmer. Cook, swirling saucepan occasionally for even cooking, until walnuts look slightly translucent and are softened, 30–35 minutes.

Drain walnuts in a mesh sieve and arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Sprinkle walnuts with salt.

Place a rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 300°. Bake walnuts in oven, stirring once or twice, until well browned, 15–18 minutes. Let cool, then break up into small pieces.

Do Ahead: Walnuts can be candied 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Place chocolate in a medium bowl; set aside. Bring cream and milk to a bare simmer in a large saucepan and remove from heat.

Vigorously whisk egg yolks and sugar in another medium bowl until pale yellow and sugar is dissolved (rub between fingers to check), about 2 minutes.

Gradually pour cream mixture into egg yolk mixture, whisking vigorously. Immediately pour egg yolk mixture into saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heatproof rubber spatula and making sure to get into the corners of the pan, until an instant-read thermometer registers 175° (custard should be thick enough to coat a spoon; do not let it simmer or allow thermometer to go above 180°).

Pour custard over reserved chocolate and let sit until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Using an immersion blender or a whisk, blend until emulsified (if using a whisk, you may want to strain budino through a fine-mesh sieve after to ensure a silky texture). Add kosher salt and 1 Tbsp. oil to chocolate mixture and blend to incorporate.

Divide budino evenly among six 8–12-oz. glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.

Top each budino with candied walnuts, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and drizzle with a little oil. Serve with scoops of gelato if desired.

Do Ahead: Budinos (without toppings) can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.