Lemon Anise Flan Food

FLAN DE LECHE

Steps:

• Make caramel: Pour 1 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water into a saucepan, preferably one that is white or light-colored inside. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, swirling the pan to combine the sugar and water. Do not stir. Let boil until deep amber in color, swirling the pan occasionally to caramelize evenly, about 10 minutes total. Watch the pan carefully after the mixture starts turning golden; it will quickly become light brown, then amber, then dark amber.
• Immediately pour caramel into a 9- by -5-inch loaf pan and swirl to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside to harden.
• Heat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a saucepan or microwaveable bowl or pitcher, combine milk, lemon zest, salt and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Over low heat or in the microwave, heat through, stirring to melt the sugar. Set aside.
• In a blender (or using a hand blender in a pitcher), combine eggs, egg yolks and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
• Remove the lemon zest strips from the hot milk mixture. With the blender running, gradually pour the milk mixture into the eggs. Go very slowly at first so that the eggs don't cook from the heat of the milk. Blend just until smooth. Pour egg-milk mixture into the caramel-lined pan.
• Place a 9- by- 13-inch baking dish in the lower third of oven. Carefully place the loaf pan in the baking dish. Pour hot tap water into the baking dish until it comes about halfway up the sides of the loaf pan. (Don't worry if the oven seems to be losing heat; the flan will adjust.)
• Bake 55 to 65 minutes, until flan is set but still jiggly in the center. Remove flan from water bath and cool on a rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerate, uncovered, until cold and firm, at least 8 hours or up to 3 days. The caramel will soften as it sits.
• To unmold, run a thin sharp knife around the edges. Center a flat-bottomed platter or serving dish with a rim on top of the pan and, holding both, carefully flip the pan and plate together. The flan will fall onto the plate with a squelch; lift off the pan and let the caramel run all over the top. (If the flan doesn't come out, flip it back over and rest the bottom of the pan on a hot wet kitchen towel for a few minutes, to melt the caramel.) Serve chilled, in slices.

LEMON ANISE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add oil and extracts; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture. Beat in lemon zest and aniseed. , Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a 12x2-in. rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden and tops begin to crack. Carefully remove to wire racks; cool for 5 minutes. , Transfer to a cutting board; cut with a serrated knife into scant 3/4-in. slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 5 minutes. Turn and bake 5-7 minutes longer or until firm and golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

LEMON FLAN

Steps:

• crush the biscuits into small pieces,.
• melt the butter in a pan then add the crushed biscuits,mixing well.
• press the biscuit mix into a flan dish and leave in fridge for 30 minutes.
• whisk together the milk and cream adding the juice and rind of both lemons until mixed well.
• pour over the cooled base and leave in fridge for 4 hours.
• (although good after 4 hours even better if left for 24 hours).

PINEAPPLE-CARAMEL FLAN

Steps:

• Bring juice and 1/2 cup sugar to boil in medium saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Stir remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Working quickly, divide caramel among six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Tilt each ramekin to coat bottom with caramel. Set ramekins in 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Place egg yolks in large bowl. Whisk in pineapple mixture. Divide custard among ramekins. Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake flans until gently set in center, about 30 minutes. Remove from water; cool. Cover; chill overnight.
• Run small knife around flans. Invert onto plates; allow syrup to run over.

FLAN

Steps:

• To make the caramel: have ready a 2-quart round flan mold and a large roasting pan. Combine 1 cup of the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a heavy-bottomed pot or pan. Place over medium-high heat and cook until the sugar begins to melt. Swirl the pan over the heat until the syrup darkens to a medium amber color, about 10 minutes; don't stir with a spoon. Remove from the heat and immediately add the lemon juice, swirl the pan again to combine, and then pour into the flan mold. Tilt the dish so that the caramel evenly coats the bottom and a bit up the sides, place in the roasting pan and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, bring a kettle of water to a boil for the water bath and keep it hot.
• Combine the cream, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium-low flame. Bring the cream to a brief simmer, stirring occasionally. Take care not to let the cream come to a full boil to prevent it from spilling over.
• In a large bowl, cream together the whole eggs and yolks with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar; add a pinch of salt. Whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Temper the egg mixture by gradually whisking in the hot cream mixture; don't add it too quickly or the eggs will cook. Pass the mixture through a strainer into a large measuring cup to ensure that the flan will be perfectly smooth. Pour the custard into the caramel-coated mold.
• To create the water bath: pour the hot (not boiling) water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the side of the mold; be careful not get water into the custard. Carefully transfer to the middle oven rack, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the custard is barely set and just jiggles slightly. Let the flan cool in the water bath, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• When you are ready to serve, run a knife around the inside of the mold to loosen the flan. Place a dessert plate on top of the flan and invert to pop it out.

LEMON-ANISE FLAN

Steps:

• Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Quickly pour caramel into eight 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat bottom. Transfer ramekins to 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine whole milk, aniseed, cinnamon stick and lemon peel in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 45 minutes.
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Pour milk mixture into large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and whisk to blend. Strain egg mixture into another large bowl. Pour custard into prepared ramekins, dividing equally. Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Bake flans until center is gently set, about 35 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Run knife around 1 flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently. Lift off ramekin, allowing syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans.