Saturday 30 August 2008

Brown sugar baked custard

WARNING: This post may make my mother tell stories about my childhood.

Recently Meryl at Inspired Bites posted this low-fat recipe for a baked custard flavoured with brown sugar and orange that sounded just heavenly. And on my way home yesterday (I went home early feeling dreadful with a cold) I decided that baked custard was exactly what I felt like. Eggy, comforting and not too difficult in my foggy-brained state.

Unfortunately the supermarket didn't have any low fat (or any other kind) of evaporated milk. So I bought double cream. And what began as a fairly virtuous pudding turned into something else entirely.

So I present to you
Brown Sugar and Cointreau Baked Custards (makes 3 or 4)

284ml double cream (it's a pot, a bit bigger than a cup but smaller than an Australian pot of cream)
1/4 cup of dark muscovado sugar (I used 1/2 cup and it was too sweet)
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
finely grated rind of half a large orange
50ml cointreau

Warm the cream, orange zest and cointreau in a pan until it is just coming to the boil, then turn the heat off and infuse for 10 minutes. Beat the egg yolks, whole egg and sugar together well (dark muscovado forms pretty solid lumps, so it does take a bit of work) then add the infused cream and beat well. Pour through a sieve into ramekins. Stand ramekins in a baking dish and pour hot water half way up their sides. Bake in a 140C oven for 25-30 minutes or until mostly set but with a bit of a wobble. Remove ramekins from the baking dish and sit (not in the fridge) for a few hours to cool slowly and set.

I caramelised the zest of the other half of the orange as a garnish. And this morning I will be eating the orange flesh along with the third custard, for a pretty indulgent breakfast. Paul can have the leftover pizza.

21 comments:

Brittany said...

Wow...I got fat just reading that delicious recipe!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Not as fat as I did having it for breakfast... It was pretty special actually. Lovely texture!

Natalie Que said...

I saw that on Meryl's blog when she posted it! I am so glad it turned out as delicious as it looks!

What a tasty way to wake-up, and hope you're feeling better!

Esi said...

I love custards!! This looks beautiful.

Deb in Hawaii said...

Very decadent and it looks very good! If anything will make you feel better that will!

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Hi foodyat. The custard looks delicious. It kind of looks like creme brulee. And you used cointreau? Oh wow. I'm licking my chops now. Good job. Hope you feel better real soon.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Thanks everyone - I am feeling better! Teresa, it did have a similar texture to creme brulee. In fact, if I had a hotter grill or a blow torch I would probably have bruleed the tops.

Bettina Douglas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bettina Douglas said...

Or did you mean the Wimbledon Mens' Final 1976 story?
Hopefully the kitchen wasn't as messy.

Norm Schoen said...

I love custard!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I was thinking about the Wimbledon '76 story, but if you want to talk about you & creme caramel, that's fine too!

alexandra's kitchen said...

i've been meaning to try a recipe for something similar I saw in one of those Donna Hay cookbooks. sounds wonderful!

Dee said...

Since my belly currently spilleth over I was lured in by your stunning photos and the low fat promise. I too start out with good intentions :)

Never heard of baked custards as a cure for a cold, but you've certainly convinced me.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Well I don't know if it was a cure for the cold, but it does well for the blues that went along with it!

hungryandfrozen said...

I love the idea of using brown sugar in a custard. And I'm sure it would have tasted better with double cream anyway ;) Hope you're feeling perkier soon!

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Foodycat, never in my wildest moments would I consider you a failure my friend. You are an excellent example of what a true foodie and friend should be, semi -homemade or not!

Darius T. Williams said...

Now of course - you know this is looking mighty good!

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

Alicia Foodycat said...

They are definitely worth a try, Darius! I really should have thought twice before I married a man with no sweet tooth.

Noob Cook said...

Those custards look sooo delicious!~ Thanks for visiting me and I'm glad to find your tasty food blog!

Unknown said...

Oooh a brown sugar custard sounds delightful! So warm and delicious, great recipe!

We'd like to invite you to participate in our September apple and peach recipe contest. All competitors will be eligible to win one of three prizes :)! Please email me, sophiekiblogger@gmail.com, if you're interested.

Feel free to check out our blog for more details: http://blog.keyingredient.com/2008/08/29/september-kick-contest/


Thanks :),
Sophie
KI Chief Blogger

grace said...

as someone who eats brown sugar by the spoonful, i can already tell i'd be a fan of this dessert. nicely done! :)

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