Ultimateflan Recipes

ULTIMATE FLAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*. Put sugar in a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the sugar starts to melt, gently stir with a wooden spoon so the sugar on top flows to the bottom to melt. Heat until caramelized. Pour in a 2 quart baking dish or mold, tilting to coat bottom and part of the sides.
• Whisk egg yolks. Whisk in the milks, cream and vanilla until smooth, but not bubbly. Pour into the caramel-lined pan and cover with foil.
• Place this pan in a slightly larger pan. Pour hot water in the larger pan until it comes halfway up the side of the "flan" pan. This is easier to do if you place the pans on the oven rack (that way you don't have to worry about spilling the water when you carry to the oven).
• Bake @ 350* for 60-70 minutes, until knife comes out clean. Cool before unmolding.

THE PERFECT FLAN

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Combine cream, milk and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream mixture; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in another heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Quickly pour caramel into six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat sides. Set ramekins into 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Whisk eggs, egg yolks and 7 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually and gently whisk cream mixture into egg mixture without creating lots of foam. Pour custard through small sieve into prepared ramekins, dividing evenly (mixture will fill ramekins). Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 40 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead.)
• To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan. Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans and serve.

BEST FLAN EVER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Select 2 oven safe containers, one that can easily fit inside the other.
• The large one will be used for a water bath and the smaller one will actually house the flan.
• Fill the larger container a little less than half way with water and place in the cold oven to heat up while you prepare the caramel and the custard.
• In a large pan, using a wooden spoon caramelize the sugar until it turns a light golden brown.
• While still hot, transfer the melted sugar to the smaller container, swirling it around until the entire bottom is covered then set aside.
• In a blender add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
• Open up the oven where you have placed the water bath and then place the small pan with the caramel inside the large water bath pan.
• Pour the custard into the pan being careful not to splash it.
• Bake for 30- 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center passes a toothpick test.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.
• You may invert this onto a large serving dish with lip or just server out of container you cooked it inches.