Chocolate Pudding (Vita-Mix)

This is a personal favorite! I thought somebody would have posted it on here by now but I guess it is up to me. My new favorite way to serve it is over sliced bananas and topped with light whipped cream. (served after the kids are in bed of course - trust me, otherwise you will not be able to fully appreciate every bite and that would be a waste of calories, right?)

2 cups steaming milk

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup sugar

5 tbsp flour

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp butter

2 tbsp GOOD QUALITY cocoa powder (see hot cocoa snob post below)

1 piece of chocolate or a palm full or good chocolate chips

Place hot milk, salt and sugar in vita-mix. Secure lid. Select variable speed #1. Turn machine on and quickly increase to speed #10 then to high. Allow machine to run for 2 minutes. Remove lid plug and add flour, cocoa powder, and chocolate through opening. Replace plug and allow machine to run until mixture settles down and appears to be thickening - about 30 seconds. Drop egg in and run for 1 minute longer. Add butter and vanilla. Stop machine and pour into large bowl or custard cups. Chill and serve.

Here's a few variations, added by mom:

Almond variation
Add 1 cup almonds with butter and vanilla (maybe add some almond extract too)

Banana variation
Add 1 ripe banana with first ingredients, or line serving dishes with banana slices.

Coconut variation
Fold in 1/2 cup shredded coconut when finished.