Ginger Creme Brulee

Ginger Creme Brulee Categories: Desserts|Holiday
Nb persons: 12
Yield:
Preparation time:
Total time:
Source: Fine Cooking Jan. 2009

Rich and creamy, these gingery custards can be prepared and baked a day or two ahead, but wait until you're ready to serve them to caramelize the sugar topping. You'll need a mini blowtorch for this step.
    4 c.  heavy cream
    1/4 c. + 2 Tb.  minced fresh ginger
    3/4 c. + 2 Tb.  granulated sugar
    1 Tb.  vanilla extract
    3/4 tsp.  table salt
    10 large  egg yolks

Pur the cream, ginger, 1/4 c. cup of the sugar, the vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cover, remove from the heat, and steep for 20 minutes.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Put twelve 4-oz. ramekins or teacups in a roasting pan or baking dish that's at least as deep as the ramekins.

In a medium bowl, whisk the yolks and 1/4 cup of the sugar until smooth and combined. Lightly whisk about 1/2 cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolk mixture and then gradually whisk in the remaining cream mixture. Stir rather than whip with the whisk--you don't want a frothy mixture, or the baked custards will have a foamy--looking surface. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large pyrex measuring cup or a heatproof bowl with a spout.

Divide the custard among the ramekins. Slowly pour hot water from the kettle into a baking pan (don't get water in the ramekins) until it comes about 2/3 of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the custards are set arounds the edges but still slightly jiggly (like jello) in the center, 30-35 minutes. Transfer the ramekins to a cooling rack and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate the custards uncovered. Once the custards are refrigerator-cold, wrap each ramekin with plastic wrap. Refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to 2 days before proceeding.

To serve, sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp. of the remaining sugar evenly over each custard. Wipe any sugar off the rims of the ramekins. Light a mini blowtorch and hold the flame 2-3 inches from the top of the custard, slowly gliding it back and forth over the surface until the sugar melts and turns a deep golden brown. Alow the sugar to cool and harden for a few minutes, and then serve immediately.

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