Dessert Crema Catalana Recipe Recipes Recipe Cards

HOMEMADE SPANISH CREMA CATALANA RECIPE

Steps:

• Put the milk on the stove in a small saucepan, along with the citrus peels and the cinnamon stick. Slowly bring to a boil.
• Dissolve the cornstarch in a splash of water and set aside.
• While the milk is slowly heating, beat the egg yolks with the sugar, until the mixture turns pale yellow. Beat in the dissolved cornstarch and a spoonful of the hot milk.
• Remove the citrus peels and cinnamon stick from the hot milk, and lower the heat.
• Slowly add the egg yolk mixture to the milk, making sure to keep stirring so that the eggs don't scramble!
• Stir constantly over a low heat, until the mixture has thickened.
• Remove from the heat and pour the mixture into traditional clay dishes or ramekins.
• Allow the custard to cool, and then cover in plastic wrap and chill the crema catalanas for about four hours (preferably overnight).
• Before serving, I like to let mine come to room temperature (unless it's summer-- that would be too hot!). Then sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top of each ramekin. Spread the sugar out by tilting the ramekins in all directions. Caramelize with a small kitchen blowtorch (though the truly authentic crema catalanas are made with a hot iron (see photo below).
• Top with fresh fruit (optional) and enjoy!

CREMA CATALANA

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Mix in cornstarch.
• Peel lemon in one piece. Combine milk, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, and vanilla seeds in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, cover, and allow the milk to get infused with the flavorings for 30 minutes and cool. Whisk egg yolk-sugar mixture into the lukewarm milk.
• Return to heat and simmer, stirring constantly, over low heat until cream thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove lemon peel and cinnamon stick. Spoon cream into 8 ovenproof ramikens and allow to cool completely, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar onto each ramiken and set under the broiler until sugar caramelizes, 1 to 2 minutes. Pay close attention so sugar does not burn.

CREMA CATALANA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 140°C.
• Put cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and peel in a pan over medium heat.
• Bring just to boiling point, then remove from heat.
• Whisk together yolks and caster sugar in a large bowl.
• Strain cream and pour slowly over yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
• Skim off any foam.
• Put six 1/2-cup (125ml) ramekins in a large roasting pan and spoon mixture into ramekins.
• Pour hot water into pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins, then cover the whole pan with foil.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes or until just set.
• Lift the ramekins out of the pan and leave to cool before chilling in the fridge for 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, preheat the grill to high.
• Place ramekins on a baking tray, sprinkle brown sugar over chilled creams, then place under the grill (oven broiler) for 2-3 minutes until sugar is melted and dark golden.
• Leave for a few minutes for sugar to cool and harden before serving.

CREMA CATALANA (CATALAN BURNT CREAM)

Steps:

• Place the milk, scraped vanilla bean, cinnamon stick and lemon and orange zests in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and set aside.
• Whisk the egg yolds with the caster sugar in a bowl for about 5 minutes, until pale and creamy. Add the cornflour and mix well. Slowly add the warm milk mixture to the egg and whisk continuously. Return to the saucepan and cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and creamy. Do not boil as it will curdle. Pour into six 1 cup ramekins and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and grill for 3 minutes or until it caramelises.