Creme Caramel
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 4 large eggs
- 4 large egg yolks
- Four 7 fl oz (200ml) ramekins
- Preheat the oven to 325F (160C).
- Pour boiling water into four 7oz (200ml) ramekins and set aside.
- Heat 1 cup of the sugar and 3 tbsp cold water in a heavy saucepan over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Boil without stirring, brushing down the crystals that form on the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, and swirling the pan by its handle, for about 5 minutes, or until the syrup has turned into a deep amber caramel.
- Just before the caramel is done, empty the ramekins.
- Divide the caramel among the warmed ramekins, swirling each so that the caramel comes halfway up the sides.
- Heat the milk and vanilla bean halves over medium heat together until simmering.
- Using the tip of a knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from the bean halves into the milk and discard the halves.
- Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar together in a large bowl.
- Gradually whisk in the hot milk.
- Pour into the ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a roasting pan and add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 2530 minutes, or until the custards are just set in the center.
- Remove from the pan.
- Cool to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours.
- One at a time, gently pull the edges of the custard away from the sides of the ramekin using a fingertip.
- Place a serving plate over the top of the ramekin and invert on to the plate.
- Serve chilled.
- Variation: Ginger Creme Caramel
- Add 2 tbsp chopped drained stem ginger in syrup to the custard when heating the milk.
- Substitute 1/4 cup stem ginger syrup for the sugar.
sugar, milk, vanilla bean, eggs, egg yolks, ramekins
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/creme-caramel (may not work)