Flan I Food

FLAN

Steps:

• To make the caramel:
• Have ready 8 individual 5-ounce ramekins. In a thick sided heavy duty pot, combine the sugar, corn syrup, 1/2 cup of the water, and lemon juice. Cook over high heat until a medium brown caramel forms. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Pour about 1 tablespoon of caramel into each ramekin.
• To make the flan:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cream together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar in bowl. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the half-and-half and vanilla bean to a scald. Gradually whisk the half-and-half mixture into the eggs, a little at a time at first and whisking constantly, to temper the egg mixture.
• Fill each ramekin almost to the top with the egg mixture. Set the ramekins in a deep baking dish and fill the dish with hot water that reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until the flan is set (jiggly but not firm), about 90 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate.
• To serve, use a paring knife to cut around the outside of the ramekin and then invert the mold over each serving plate. It may be necessary to shake the flan or gently push it back on one side in order to get the flan to break loose from the ramekin. Serve with the liquid caramel that pours out as a sauce.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

FLAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Prepare an ice bath and set aside.
• Place eight ramekins in two baking pans lined with kitchen towels or 8-inch round cake pan.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil; keep hot until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup sugar with the water over medium heat; cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Swirl pan occasionally, DO NOT STIR.
• Wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming.
• Increase heat to medium-high; continue cooking until caramel is amber, about 8 minutes, gently swirling pan to color evenly.
• Remove from heat,and immerse bottom in ice bath for 3 seconds to stop cooking.
• Dry bottom of pan.
• Working quickly, pour about 1 tablespoon into each ramekin; OR pour all into cake pan and swirl to coat bottom evenly; set aside.
• In a small saucepan heat milk over medium heat just until bubbles form around edges and milk starts to steam,5 to 6 minutes Turn off heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together yolks, eggs, and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until combined.
• Slowly add hot milk whisking constantly.
• Pour mixture through a fine sieve into clean bowl; skim off surface foam with a spoon.
• Stir in Vanilla, and pour custard into ramekins or cake pan.
• Carefully pour the hot water into baking pan until it reaches halfway up the side of ramekin or cake pan.
• Bake until center is set when gently touched with finger, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator to chill, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• To unmold, run a sharp knife around edges and place a serving plate upside down over the top; invert and gently lift pan to remove.
• Serve.

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.