Thursday, February 18, 2010

Foodie Friday – my first

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I have posted many blog entries about food but this my first official one at Designs by Gollum hosted by Michael.


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Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten is a favorite cookbook of mine. I have never been to Paris (sadly) but the photographs in her books and others’ almost take me there.
As I created our “romantic” dinner for Valentine’s Day, I considered several desserts (mostly chocolate) until looking through this cookbook and reading Ina’s comment that this is a “guy” dessert!
I have made this before and I don’t know why I haven’t made it more often. The small torches (available at Williams Sonoma) make the caramelizing a breeze and offer entertainment and magic for your guests.
So here we go - Ina’s Crème Brûlée

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Preheat oven to 300°
1 extra large egg
4 extra large egg yolks
½ cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon for each serving
3 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier
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Using the paddle attachment of your electric mixer, mix the egg, egg yolks and the ½ cup sugar on low speed until just combined. Meanwhile scald the cream (very hot but not boiling). With mixer on low, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and Grand Marnier. Fill 6- to 8-ounce ramekins until almost full.

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Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan about halfway up the sides. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes until custards are set when gently shaken. Remove from water bath and cool. Refrigerate until firm.
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To serve, spread each ramekin with 1 tablespoon sugar. Heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar caramelizes. Let sit for a moment to let sugar harden.
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Enjoy!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol

My favourite desert. I usually buy them ready done and they just need the sugar sprinkled on and then I use my cooks blow torch to caramelise it. I had a lovely one yesterday when I was out to lunch and it had rhubarb on the bottom, very refreshing.Jackie.

Unknown said...

Carol, WOW looks a lot like the desert you served Dean & I a couple of weekends ago and we must say that it was delicious and so much fun to watch the crowning touch with the torch. I have to say great pictures!

John & Dean

Allie and Pattie said...

I LOVE creme brulee!! Being the mother of 6 (5 of them being BOYS) I have to keep my kitchen blowtorch well hidden!
xoxo Pattie

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'm so glad you've joined Foodie Friday. The brulee looks absolutely wonderful. As Ina would say, "To die for." The photos are wonderful. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Self Sagacity said...

Yes, this is my love too. I can't wait to try.

Unknown said...

Oh YUM...I love creme brulee!! Your step-by-step makes it look very easy :)

Blessings!
Gail

Southerncook said...

I have watched Ina prepare this numerous times (reruns) but have never prepared it myself. I think DH would love this dessert and again you have inspired me. I have the torch but have never used it. How awful is that????? BTW, Ina is a favorite of mine as well.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Kathleen said...

Can I use dh's regular blow torch?? Dial 911..:)
I have never made them...you are inspiring me..
They look delicious and wonderful step by step directions! Ina filmed a show at my neighbor's house..really..
I saw smoke coming out of the windows..not really..:)

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