Cardamom Creme Brulee Parfait With Candied Pumpkin Recipes

STEF'S SLOW COOKER CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Whisk yolks with 1/4 cup sugar and salt in a bowl until smooth; gently whisk in cream and vanilla extract. Strain custard mixture into a liquid measuring cup.
• Line bottom of a 6-quart oval slow cooker with a folded kitchen towel to create a level surface so ramekins won't slide around. Set four 4-ounce ramekins on the towel. Fill slow cooker with enough water to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Pour custard evenly into ramekins. Drape paper towels over top of slow cooker liner to absorb any condensation during baking; cover with lid to secure.
• Cook on Low until custard is set but jiggles slightly, about 2 hours.
• Transfer ramekins to a rack to cool completely, about 45 minutes. Refrigerate custards, uncovered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
• Sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over each ramekin and shake gently to distribute evenly. Heat the sugar using a culinary torch until melted and browned, about 1 minute.

PUMPKIN SPICE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Beat egg yolks in a large bowl; mix in 1/3 cup sugar and salt.
• Combine heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a pot over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature of the liquid reaches 158 degrees F (70 degrees C), 2 to 4 minutes; do not overheat.
• Pour hot cream mixture slowly into the beaten egg yolks. Pour cream-egg mixture slowly through a sieve into a separate bowl. Let settle until froth is reduced, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer the cream-egg mixture into 4 Mason jars. Flash the tops of the cream with a kitchen torch to remove any bubbles. Place lids on jars and finger tighten. Immerse jars in a water bath with a sous vide cooker set to 176 degrees F (80 degrees C); cook for 1 hour.
• Remove jars and let cool until safe to handle, at least 15 minutes. Prepare a large bowl with ice and water.
• Place jars in the ice bath until completely cool, at least 20 minutes. Remove lids and sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over the surface of each creme brulee. Torch the tops slowly using low gas at a moderate distance from the jars until sugar caramelizes, a few seconds each. Let stand until surfaces harden, about 5 minutes.

CHEF JOHN'S PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Whisk egg yolks and brown sugar together in a large bowl. Stir in heavy cream, pumpkin puree, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Divide pumpkin mixture between seven (5-inch) ramekins about 1/2 inch from the top.
• Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill with the baking dish hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in preheated oven until just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove ramekins and refrigerate until completely cool, at least 2 hours.
• Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of sugar onto each creme brulee. Melt the sugar with a chef's torch until crisp and dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

CARDAMOM CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.
• Place the cream in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
• Warm just until little bubbles form around the edge.
• Remove from the heat and, whisking constantly, pour into the egg and sugar mixture.
• *caution* temper the egg's first. to do this pour a little bit of the mixture in first and mix it together, then pour in the rest of the mixture. Otherwise you might end up with scrambled eggs.
• Add the cardamom and continue whisking until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
• Pour the mixture through a very fine sieve into 6 crème brûlée dishes, filling them only half full.
• Place the dishes into a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them without crowding.
• Place the dish on the middle rack of oven.
• Working quickly to preserve the heat, finish filling the dishes with the custard mixture, making sure that it comes right to the top of each dish.
• Then carefully fill the baking dish with very hot tap water so it comes halfway up the sides of the filled dishes.
• Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the custard is set in the center.
• Remove the custards to a wire rack to cool.
• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until ready to use.
• When ready to serve, preheat the broiler.
• Pass the brown sugar through a fine sieve to eliminate all lumps.
• Generously sprinkle the top of each chilled custard with an equal portion of the brown sugar, taking care to cover all of the custard, so that it gives an even finish.
• Place the chilled crème brûlée dishes under the preheated broiler and broil for about 2 minutes, or until the tops are crackling brown.
• Remove from the broiler and serve immediately.
• Note: When I make this dish, I often grind the cardamom in a coffee grinder so that it picks up just a hint of coffee (in my kitchen, usually espresso) flavor.