Cardamom Spiced Light Creme Brulee Food

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.

CARDAMOM CRèME BRûLéE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
• 2. In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.
• 3. 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. Add the cardamom and continue whisking until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
• 4. 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 withough 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.
• 5. Remove the custards to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until ready to use.
• 6. When ready to serve, preheat the broiler.
• 7. 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.
• Wine Suggestion:
• Royal Tokaji Red
• This quite sweet but well-balanced Tokaji is a stunning companion to this lightly spiced and very rich dessert.

CARDAMOM SPICED LIGHT CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Put the cardamom and nutmeg in a clean cotton or linen cloth and tie it off with string to make a "tea bag." Pour the evaporated milk into a small saucepan. Cut off about 2-3 inches of the vanilla bean, and split the skin, scraping the seeds into the milk. Over medium heat, simmer the milk, bag of spices, crushed cinnamon stick, and the split vanilla bean until the top begins to shimmer and a slight skin forms. Try not to let it boil. Turn off the burner and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
• In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk together the egg yolks and honey until well combined. Remove the spice bag from the milk mixture.
• Drizzle the milk mixture into the egg yolks, stirring constantly until thoroughly mixed. Try not to whip in any air bubbles.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, pouring carefully to avoid splashing. Discard the extra cinnamon and vanilla bean along with any lumps caught in the sieve.
• Arrange 4 4-6 oz ramekins in a large baking pan. Pour the custard mixture evenly into the ramekins. Pour hot water into the baking pan until the water line reaches halfway up the ramekins. Cover loosely with foil and put the baking pan into the oven.
• Baking times will vary depending on the size and shape of the ramekins. I used 6 oz ramekins and they were done after about 50 minutes. In 4 oz. ramekins they were finished at about 35 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and when they're done, the centers should still jiggle a little bit when moved.
• When the custard is done, remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the ramekins to cool in the water bath.
• Once cool, cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• To serve: Mix together the brown sugar and granulated sugar in a small bowl.
• Remove the custards from the refrigerator and uncover. Sprinkle 1 tsp of brulee sugar evenly over the surface of each custard.
• If you have a culinary torch, use it to caramelize the sugar on the top of the custards and serve immediately. If not, stick the ramekins in a preheated broiler or salamander for 10-30 seconds or so. Watch closely and don't over cook or the custards will burn.
• Bon appetit! :D.

CARDAMOM CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Note that you need to prepare these custards the day before you are serving them.
• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• In a large roasting pan, place six 3/4-cup custard cups or ramekins; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk the 3/4 cup white sugar and the egg yolks together; then whisk in the cardamom.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a boil; then, s-l-o-w-l-y whisk the hot cream into the yolk mixture (you don't want to curdle the yolks).
• Pour this custard evenly into the 6 ramekins.
• Have ready a kettle full of hot water.
• Open oven door, partially pull out rack, place roasting pan on rack, then pour hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Carefully slide rack back into oven, close door, and bake until custards are set in centre, about 40 minutes.
• Remove ramekins from roasting pan and cool; refrigerate overnight.
• Anywhere from one to six hours before serving time, preheat your broiler.
• Arrange ramekins on a baking sheet and sprinkle 1 tsp white sugar onto each one.
• Broil until sugar browns; watch closely, it only takes about 2 minutes.
• If your broiler does not provide even heat, rotate ramekins halfway during broiling.
• Chill custards in refrigerator at least 1 hour, and for as long as six hours, before serving.