Peppermint Creme Brulee Food

THE BEST CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Line a large heavy roasting pan (a turkey roasting pan works great) with a clean kitchen towel and place 4 six-ounce ramekins on top of the towel spaced a few inches apart.
• Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Using the back of a paring knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from both halves of the pod. Add the seeds and pod to the cream. Whisk in the salt and 3 tablespoons of the sugar and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• Vigorously whisk the yolks and 3 more tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can use an electric mixer on high speed and beat until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 1 minute.
• Whisking the yolks constantly, add a couple of teaspoons at a time from 1 cup of the hot cream, then increase to a steady stream until the cream is fully incorporated. (Don't pour too much hot cream at once or you'll end up with scrambled eggs.) The yolks are now tempered. Whisk the tempered yolks back into the remaining hot cream until combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or medium pitcher for easier pouring; discard the vanilla pods.
• Skim the foam off the top of the custard by placing a clean paper towel on top and lightly pressing down so it touches the surface and absorbs some of the liquid. This will make for a completely smooth and silky custard. Fill the ramekins with the custard, about 3/4 cup per ramekin.
• Carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan halfway up the sides of the ramekins without getting any water in the custard. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the custard is set around the edges but still has a slight jiggle in the center, 35 to 45 minutes. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and transfer the ramekins to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate until very cold, about 3 hours.
• Just before serving, evenly spread 1 tablespoon of the sugar over the top of a custard. Hold a kitchen torch 2 inches above the surface. Starting in the center of the ramekin, move the flame in a circular motion and work your way out to the edges to caramelize the sugar. Repeat with the remaining sugar and custards.
• Alternatively, arrange a rack in the top position of the oven and heat the broiler on high. Place the ramekins on a rack set inside a baking sheet and broil until deep golden brown, 15 to 60 seconds, checking every 10 seconds.
• Freeze the custards for 5 minutes before serving (see Cook's Note).

PEPPERMINT CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Combine whipping cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and schnapps, and stir with a whisk until smooth.
• (the sugar will dissolve).
• Divide the mixture evenly in 5 (5x1-inch) round single serving baking dishes.
• Set the dishes on a large roasting pan or jellyroll pan (15x 10x 1-inch).
• Add one inch of hot water to pan.
• Bake at for 45-50 minutes at 275 degrees, until almost set.
• Cool in the pan of water on a wire rack, then remove from pan.
• Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
• Sprinkle crushed candies over each custard and place them in a pan.
• Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) until candy melts.
• Cool for 5 minutes or until top hardens, then garnish if desired.

HOMEMADE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Combine heavy cream, milk, and vanilla bean.
• Heat to boil.
• Remove from heat and steep 10 minutes with vanilla bean.
• Scrape bean seeds into the milk mixture.
• With an electric mixer, combine eggs and sugar.
• Add the milk mixture in a steady stream.
• Skim foam.
• Divide into 8 small ramekins (about 5 oz. each) set in baking dish and pour enough hot water around ramekins to come 1/2 way up the sides.
• Place in 325 degree oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, until just set (trembles slightly).
• Cover top with brown sugar.
• Carmelize under broiler.