Microwave Chocolate Pudding for One
Old-fashioned cooked pudding made fast and easy. Really, my cat could make this.

What you'll need:

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cocoa powder (the unsweetened kind)
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup milk (soy milk also works, if you're avoiding dairy)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a small bowl or large mug, mix together the cornstarch, cocoa, and sugar. Slowly add in the milk, stirring as you go, until it's all incorporated and all the dry ingredients are dissolved in the milk.
2. Place the bowl in your microwave and heat on high for one minute. Stir.
3. Continue to microwave for 30-second intervals until the mixture comes to a boil. Stir after each interval.
4. Once the mixture hits a boil, microwave it for about 30 seconds more. Be sure to watch it carefully so it doesn't boil over.
5. Refrigerate until set.

	Bright Ideas: • You don't need to chill the pudding until it's completely cold. I find that the contrast of the cool pudding on top with the warm pudding in the center to be the best part.
	• Placing the warm pudding in the fridge uncovered will result in a skin on top. To some (including me), this is the sign of truly great pudding. If you don't want the skin, cover your pudding with plastic wrap.