Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Our FAVORITE treat at the holidays

It's become a Christmas Tradition for my sweet hubby to make his most requested recipe...Creme Brulee. This is the recipe we like best...and FYI the best place to buy fresh vanilla beans is at Costco...SO MUCH CHEAPER and better beans. They are 10 beans for $11.99 vs. The Spice Islands grocery store version, One bean for about $9.

Creme Brulee (recipe from food network, Alton Brown)
ngredients
1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 cup vanilla sugar, divided
6 large egg yolks
2 quarts hot water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Place the cream, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and reserve for another use.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stirring continually. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Remove the creme brulee from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup vanilla sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow the creme brulee to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving

2 comments:

Amber said...

Do you know how to brown the sugar under the broiler if you don't have a torch? This is my father-in-laws favorite dessert.

Eryn said...

hmmm, I don't know. I think part of the reason my hubby loves to make this, is he gets out the big ol' torch to brown the top! I"m sure you can find a way online.