Mexican Chocolate Pot De Creme -- A Must for your Bucket List

Late Friday afternoon I was developing a hankering for a chocolate dessert.  While catching up on my Twitter account, I noticed a tweet about the L.A. Times Food Section Mexican Chocolate Pot de Creme Recipe.  Curiosity caught the best of me and I clicked on the link.  As the link opened up in a new window a gorgeous picture of two chocolate Pot de Creme filled ramekins appeared.  They were topped with whipped cream and a few pumpkin seeds.   I had to attempt to make this soon.

As I reviewed the recipe, I put this on my task list for this weekend.  Saturday morning I swung by the grocery store to pickup some items for recipe.  As soon as I got home I started chopping chocolate just the like the recipe instructed.   I then heated up the milk and cream and then at the proper time added the chocolate and whisked everything together until the mixture was thoroughly combined.  I poured the Pot de Creme mixture into individual ramekins and then refrigerated for the rest of the day.

After the Pot de Creme sat in the refrigerator for approximately 7 hours I retrieved one of the ramekins.  I placed a dollop of whipped cream and some of the crushed glazed pumpkin seeds on top.  As I took my spoon I ensured myself that I got a sample of the Pot de Creme, whipped cream, and pumpkin seeds all in one bite.

As I sampled my first bite I could not believe what I was tasting.  A rich, creamy, heavenly decadent chocolate flavor emerged.  OMG!!!!  The cinnamon from the Mexican chocolate just made the tasting sensations blossom in your mouth.  The sweetness was just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth but not drown out the flavor of the chocolate.  As I gave my wife a taste her eyes lit up just like a true chocolate lovers eyes do when they taste a chocolate master piece. 

As we scraped the ramekin for the last morsels of the Pot de Creme, I was so glad I had taken the time to create this decadent delight!!!  A must do experience for anyone's bucket list.

A heavenly, decadent, exhilarating delight.

Carne Asada Heaven at the Reata!!!

My wife and I recently escaped to the city of Alpine, Texas for a weekend getaway.  Alpine is located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.  Alpine's setting gives it some gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.  As we drove or walked up and down the streets of Alpine we absorbed the feel of a laid back, artistic community.

 As we explored the community we noticed several eateries dotted throughout.  Before the evening was over my wife and I settled on a restaurant called Reata  Apparently this restaurant is named after the ranch in the move "Giant".  When you walk into the restaurant the decor makes you feel like you've stepped back into a by-gone era of the old west - wood floors, heavy wooden tables and chairs, and the wait staff dressed in Western attire.

Since I was new to the restaurant I was wondering what to try first.  As I scoured the menu I decided to anxiously try the Carne Asada with Cheese Enchiladas dinner. 

When the meal was delivered to our table this is what I was presented with.  OMG!!!  It looked great!!!!

The grill marks on the Carne Asada had the look of cross hatched greatness!!!  The Pico de Gallo had the presence of extreme freshness.  The cheese enchiladas had the appearance of a homemade delicacy.  I was ready to dive in!!!

As my knife cut into the Carne Asada, it was so tender I felt that this piece should be a tenderness role model for other steaks.  As I tasted the Carne Asada the juiciness flowed out from the meat, it had the great taste of a smoky, well seasoned piece of Carne Asada that could convert any vegetarian.  My eyes became wide open with amazement after my first bite. 

Now onto the enchiladas.  The enchilada sauce flavor portrayed a delectable bold taste of dried chilies and crushed spices that were used to make the sauce.  The corn tortillas had the texture and taste of homemade tortillas.  And the gooey white cheese just melted in your mouth with each delicious bite. 

How could this get any better? Well for my dinner wine I had chosen the CF Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.  As I took a bite of the Carne Asada followed by a sip of wine, the earthiness characteristics of the Cabernet just enhanced the taste of the meat.  As I took a bite of the enchiladas and then followed by a sip of wine, the enchilada sauce brought out the fruitiness of the Cabernet.  The experience of enjoying the earthiness and fruitiness wine with one entree is something that has to be personally experienced to fully appreciate it.  At the end of the meal, I felt like I was in Carne Asada Heaven!!!

If you even find yourself in Alpine, Texas don't hesitate to enjoy this wonderful entree at Reata!!