Sweet Basque Cream Natillas Recipes

BASQUE CREAM (NATILLAS) DESSERT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the cream and cinnnamon sticks, and bring them to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce the heat to low, and cook gently for about 10 minutes, until the cream is well infused with the cinnamon.
• Set the pan aside so the cream can cool.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until they are well mixed. Add the cream and cinnamon sticks, and whisk well.
• Heat 1 to 2 inches of water in the bottom pan of a double boiler, and transfer custard mixture to the top pan, or set the bowl over a saucepan containing 1 to 2 inches of hot water.
• Bring the water to a boil, and cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for about 30 minutes or until it thickens, adding more hot water to the bottom pan if necessary.
• Remove the top pan or the bowl from over the hot water, and let the custard cool.

SWEET BASQUE CREAM (NATILLAS)

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the cream and cinnnamon sticks, and bring them to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, and cook gently for about 10 minutes, until the cream is well infused with the cinnamon. Set the pan aside so the cream can cool.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until they are well mixed. Add the cream and cinnamon sticks, and whisk well.
• Heat 1 to 2 inches of water in the bottom pan of a double boiler, and transfer custard mixture to the top pan, or set the bowl over a saucepan containing 1 to 2 inches of hot water. Bring the water to a boil, and cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for about 30 minutes or until it thickens, adding more hot water to the bottom pan if necessary. Remove the top pan or the bowl from over the hot water, and let the custard cool.
• Strain the cooled custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass or ceramic container, and refrigerate the natillas for at least 4 hours, until it is cool. Stir before serving, adding a little more heavy cream if necessary to smooth the natillas. Divide it among six custard cups or transfer it to a pitcher to use as a sauce. Serve the natillas sprinkled with cinnamon.

ALMOND TART (TARTA DE ALMENDRAS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 10-inch pie plate.
• In a blender, blend the sugar and lemon zest until they are well mixed. Add the almonds, and blend again until the almonds are ground fine. Add the eggs, egg yolks, and butter, and blend until all the contents are well mixed. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Scrape the batter into the pan, and smooth the top. Bake the tart on the center rack of the oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean but the tart is still moist. Let it cool on a wire rack.
• Spoon Sweet Basque Cream onto each plate, and set a tart wedge on top. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve.
• Note: Almonds, easy to find in any supermarket, are most commonly sold raw or blanched. Buy raw almonds, if possible. Because you will be grinding the nuts, it doesn't matter whether they're whole or sliced when you buy them.

NATILLAS (SPANISH CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Combine milk, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest in a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 10 minutes without letting it boil.
• Meanwhile, beat egg yolks and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in cornstarch. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and lump-free.
• Remove and discard cinnamon stick and lemon zest from milk. Gradually add egg yolk mixture to the milk, and beat with a whisk over low heat until mixture starts to thickens, about 10 minutes. Bring custard to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
• Pour custard into individual serving dishes and chill in the fridge until set, about 2 hours.