Chocolate pudding, plain, simple, good.

Most of last week I was down for the count with the head cold from hell. Too sick to eat never mind cook but everyone else still wanted supper. For the most part, they manage pretty well on their own at my house, right down to dessert.

And that dollop of whipped cream isn't from a store bought aerosol can. We aerate our own cream, and add flavors like chocolate syrup, vanilla and even spiced rum or ginger brandy with a great gadget - an iSi whipped cream dispenser.

SIMPLY YUMMY CHOCOLATE PUDDING

3 cups skim milk
2/3 cup sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons flour

Beat egg yolks in saucepan. Add three cups milk and stir well.  In a medium sized bowl, mix flour, sugar, and cocoa.  Add cocoa mixture to saucepan ingredients.  Cook pudding over low heat and whisk constantly until it comes to a low boil and the consistency thickens. Remove saucepan from heat and add vanilla. Pour into individual serving glasses while still warm. Cool before serving. Garnish with cream if desired. Makes 6 portions, about 140 calories each.