Alice B Toklas Orange Caramel Custard Recipes

CARAMEL CUSTARD

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, cook and stir 3/4 cup sugar over low heat until sugar is melted and golden. Pour into eight 6-oz. custard cups, tilting to coat bottom of cup; let stand for 10 minutes. , In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining sugar until blended but not foamy. Pour over caramelized sugar. , Place the cups in two 8-in. square baking pans. Pour very hot water in pans to a depth of 1 in. Bake at 350° until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks. , To unmold, run a knife around rim of cup and invert onto dessert place. Serve warm or chilled.

ALICE B. TOKLAS'S BAVARIAN CREAM

Steps:

• Heat the milk and the cloves in a saucepan over low heat until hot.
• Combine the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat until lemon colored. Slowly beat in the warm milk and cloves, and place in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the custard is hot and coats the back of the spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain into a mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, place the gelatin in a small dish and add 1 1/84 cup cold water. Set aside to let it ''sponge,'' about 5 minutes. Stir the gelatin into the custard and continue to stir constantly until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the custard has cooled. (For rapid cooling, place the bowl of custard in a larger bowl of ice water.)
• Lightly grease a 5-cup mold or bowl with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place heavy cream in a deep bowl and whip until peaks are firm but not stiff. Fold the lemon zest and then the whipped cream into the custard. Pour into the prepared mold and refrigerate until firm.
• When ready to serve, pull the custard away from the sides of the mold with your thumb to break the suction. Invert onto a serving dish and remove the mold. Surround with fruit.

ORANGE & CARAMEL CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Beat the egg yolks and sugar for a few mins until pale and slightly thickened, then whisk in the flours. Heat the milk and orange zest in a saucepan. Once it's starting to boil around the edges, whisk into the egg mix. Put the whole lot back into the pan, stirring all the time until thick and boiling. Leave to cool completely. Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Brush the filo sheets one by one with egg white and use to line a 23cm loose-bottom flan tin, overlapping the pieces as you go. Fold the pastry over itself at the edges rather than letting it overhang or you'll never get it out of the tin. Bake blind for 10 mins, then give it another 5 mins until dark golden and very crisp. Leave to cool. Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
• The cream filling will be set by now, so beat again with electric beaters until smooth. Spoon into the case, then chill for at least 30 mins. To serve, put the sugar into a non-stick frying pan and leave over a gentle heat to melt and then caramelise, swirling the pan only a few times. Meanwhile, spread the oranges over the custard. When the caramel is dark golden, drizzle it over the oranges, let it set for a few mins, then serve immediately.

SPICED ORANGE CARAMEL CUSTARD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place the ramekins in a deep oven-safe pan or dish. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla bean and scrapings, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, orange zest and ginger over medium heat. Cook until it comes to a simmer. Turn off heat and let it steep for 10 minutes.
• While the heavy cream is steeping, place the sugar and water in a medium saucepan with tall sides. Before turning on the heat, gently mix until the sugar turns the consistency of wet sand. Then cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until the sugar starts to melt and turns deep amber. Turn off the heat and slowly whisk in the warm heavy cream mixture.
• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and salt. Slowly stir in the warm caramel mixture. Strain this custard through a fine sieve and discard spices.
• Pour the custard into the ramekins and fill the baking pan with boiling water to halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Be careful not to let the water enter inside the ramekin. Cover the baking pan with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil and place inside the oven.
• Bake for 60-75 minutes until the center of the custard is set but still jiggles slightly. Remove from oven and let the ramekins sit in the pan until cool enough to handle. Dry the bottoms of the ramekins and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve with whipped cream and chopped pistachios.