Prune Flan with Orange Salad
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 12 plump prunes, pitted
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
- 3 large eggs
- 3 navel oranges
- 1 teaspoon orange liqueur
- In a small saucepan, cook 1/3 cup of the sugar over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until a dark caramel forms, about 5 minutes.
- Immediately pour the caramel into the bottom of an 8-by-1-inch ring mold and arrange the prunes on the caramel, spacing them evenly.
- Let cool completely.
- In another small saucepan, combine the milk with 3 tablespoons of the sugar.
- Scrape the seeds from half of the vanilla bean; add the seeds and scraped bean to the milk and bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs with 3 tablespoons of the sugar until the mixture turns pale.
- Gradually whisk in the hot milk.
- Strain the custard into a bowl and let cool.
- Preheat the oven to 325.
- Set the caramel-lined mold in a small roasting pan and pour in the custard.
- Set the pan in the oven.
- Add enough hot water to the pan to reach halfway up the side of the mold.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the flan is just set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the water bath for 10 minutes, then transfer the ring mold to a rack and let cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate the flan for at least 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, peel the oranges; be sure to remove all of the bitter white pith.
- Working over a bowl, cut in between the membranes to release the orange segments.
- Scrape the seeds from the remaining vanilla bean half into the oranges.
- Toss gently with the orange liqueur and the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar.
- To unmold the flan, bring 1/2 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet.
- Carefully stand the mold in the skillet for 1 minute, then remove it and wipe the bottom dry.
- Using a small knife, gently free the flan from the mold.
- Tilt the mold; if the caramel doesn't seep out, return the mold to hot water and repeat.
- Place a serving platter on top of the ring mold and invert the flan onto the platter.
- Tap the mold lightly and lift it off.
- Spoon the orange salad into the center of the flan.
- Slice the flan and serve with the oranges and caramel sauce.
sugar, prunes, milk, vanilla bean, eggs, oranges, orange liqueur
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/prune-flan-with-orange-salad (may not work)