Coffee Pots

1. 1Heat the oven to 325°F. Bring the cream and coffee to a boil in a saucepan. Meanwhile, beat the sugar and egg yolks together in a bowl until light and fluffy. If you’d thought of adding a shot of alcohol or other flavoring, this is the time.
2. 2Slowly pour the scalded coffee milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Strain into six 1/2-cup ramekins. Skim off any foam that forms on top (if it bothers you). Set the ramekins into a baking dish and pour around boiling water to come halfway up their sides.
3. 3Bake until just set, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool, then refrigerate for several hours, or overnight, before serving.

Beverage pairing: Niepoort 10 Years Old Tawny, Portugal. This simple but satisfying dessert would be accentuated by something complex and sweet. The nutty, toffee, and spice-inflected tastes of this tawny port will merge addictively with the cream and coffee of the dessert.