Serves : 8               Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup                      sugar
  • 1/2 cup                      water
  • 1 quart                   half and half
  • 1 teaspoon           vanilla
  • 8                               egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup                 sugar

For the Caramel : Place the sugar and the water into a heavy pan or skillet and cook until it becomes a dark brown. This takes a while and needs to be watched. Don’t stir, just swirl the pan around a few times. Once it starts to turn tan, it will turn to brown quickly. Carefully pour into a 2 quart ring mold  and turn until the bottom and sides are evenly coated.

For the Custard : Scald the half and half and remove the film from the top. Add vanilla and cool slightly. Beat eggs with sugar until pale yellow. Slowly add half and half mixture and mix thoroughly, not with electric beaters, ok to whisk gently. Strain into mold. Place in a pan of simmering water (to reach half way up the mold) in a 325 degree oven for about one hour or until just firm. Chill for at least four hours or over night. Dip mold in hot water for a few seconds and unmold on round serving platter.

Garnish with toasted slivered almonds or fill the center with 3 cups of small strawberries that have been soaked in 3 tablespoons of kirsch and confectioners sugar and 1/3 teaspoon orange flower water.

NOTES : Recipe not for the faint of heart novice…Make this recipe one or two days in advance. The caramel will get to ‘know’ the custard better. You can also make this in individual ramekins, a dish towel on the bottom of the pan keeps the dishes from sliding around. This recipe fills 8 -10 (1/2 cup) ramekins

Recipe by : Linda McBride

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