Well, here I am, late for my own party! Cookworm turned one on Friday, and where was I for the celebration? Alas, one is obliged to do unseemly tasks such as attend work every day and deal with misbehaving automobiles, so you’ll have a heart, right? But luckily I’ve been homebound this weekend while Miss Car gets a fix-up, so there’s been ample time to putter around the old blog. I’ve updated the design to make it a bit more colorful for summer (it’s a real departure, I know, and I may replace the background color with something more soothing, but for now I like it), and will be adding a few more features (like print-friendly recipes) soon. Let me know if you have any problems or if something doesn’t look right as I work out the kinks.

Along with cookworm’s anniversary, this also marks my 100th post. I don’t usually track numbers of posts, but I have to admit, it does sort of fit together nicely, doesn’t it? It almost seems hard to believe that it’s only been a year, although there’s still so much to learn and do. Although I started this blog partly to organize recipes and also to keep me busy when my boyfriend moved away, it’s become much more than that. I’ve met some great people and found the most terrific blogs, all of whom have inspired me to write more, try new recipes and techniques, and share ideas. It’s been great fun so far.

Now, is it time for the celebratory cake yet? Yes, indeed! - well, celebratory pudding, anyway. Since my flour reserves are depleted from bread-baking, I made this tasty self-saucing pudding from Bill Granger. It’s quick as a whistle to make, and is adapted to serve two chocoholics (or one little piglet) on a rainy day. It’s lighter in texture than the familiar molten chocolate cake, although the principle is the same: airy sponge giving way to warm chocolate goo within.

So with that, I raise my chocolatey cup in celebration of a wonderful year, and with many thanks to all who have stopped by to visit cookworm during this time. I hope to bring even better things in the year to come!

Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding
adapted from Bill Granger

For the pudding
1/2 cup all purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 cup boiling water

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Sift flour, salt, sugar, baking powder and cocoa powder into a bowl. Add the milk, melted butter, egg and vanilla extract and whisk thoroughly until combined. Pour into 8-oz coffee mugs or ramekins.

For the topping, stir the brown sugar and cocoa powder in a bowl to combine, then sprinkle it over the cups of pudding batter. Pour the boiling water carefully over the puddings, then bake at 350º for 18-20 minutes. Remove carefully from the oven and serve hot.

Posted by the cookworm on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at 10:35 pm.