Creme Caramel
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup caster or fine sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Special equipment: a pastry brush, 6 (4-ounce) ramekins
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Place the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepot over low heat.
- Let the sugar dissolve.
- Carefully brush the walls of the pot with a little water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing on the sides.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and boil until the syrup turns golden brown.
- Remove from the heat promptly and carefully divide the hot caramel among the 6 ramekins.
- Let cool for at least 2 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the milk and cream to just below a boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, mix together the egg yolks, caster sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the mixing bowl on top of a towel to keep it from wobbling while whisking in the hot liquid.
- Gently whisk 2 tablespoons of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture.
- Slowly whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture 1/3 at a time, trying to prevent excess bubbles.
- Strain though a sieve.
- Place 6 ramekins evenly spaced in a paper towel-lined baking dish to prevent the ramekins from sliding.
- Pour 6 ounces into each caramel-coated ramekin.
- Place on the extended middle rack of the oven.
- Carefully pour boiling water into the baking dish until 2/3 of the way up the sides of the ramekins.
- (Be careful not to get any water on the custard mixture.)
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and very gently slide it towards the center of the rack.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the custards are almost fully set.
- Remove from the oven.
- Use tongs to remove the ramekins from the hot water bath.
- Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, then refrigerate until well chilled.
- To serve, dip the ramekin in very hot water for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Run a sharp knife around the sides of the ramekin.
- Invert the custards onto serving plates.
- The caramel will pool around the inverted custards.
- Serve immediately.
sugar, water, milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, caster, vanilla
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/creme-caramel-recipe1.html (may not work)