Halloween
Ingredients (11)
For the pumpkin base:
- 10 ounces milk (1 1/4 cups)
- 10 ounces cream (1 1/4 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala spice mix, available at grocery stores or make your own
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces pumpkin purée (3/4 cup)
For the latte:
- 4 ounces milk (1/2 cup)
- 4 ounces pumpkin base (1/2 cup)
- 1 shot espresso (1 to 1.5 ounces)
CHOW.com asked chefs from a handful of our favorite restaurants to create better versions of seasonal lattes, with quality ingredients. Here’s former Absinthe pastry chef Luis Villavelazquez’s interpretation. This version of what is usually a nasty spice bomb calls for real pumpkin purée and subtle Indian seasonings. The base can easily be made ahead. See more latte interpretations.
Instructions
For the pumpkin base:
- 1Heat milk, cream, vanilla, and garam masala to a boil.
- 2Turn off the heat and let the spices infuse for 10 minutes.
- 3Return to heat and bring back to a boil.
- 4While waiting for it to boil, mix yolks, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- 5Very slowly pour in the hot milk mixture into the yolk mixture, stirring constantly.
- 6Pour the base back into the pot and cook on medium heat, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom to keep it from burning. Cook until the mixture clings to the spatula.
- 7Turn off heat and whisk in pumpkin purée until smooth.
- 8Strain and set aside. If making ahead, refrigerate until you want to use it. (The flavors are better if it sits overnight.) The mixture will last for 4 to 6 days.
For the latte:
- 1Mix milk with pumpkin base, steam, and froth. Pour in espresso.