A Custard Kind of Love

Creme Brulee

      A few days ago I was organizing my planner and I realized that Valentines Day is just three weeks away. For many women this is a special day to be shown by their special love how much they care with flowers, chocolate or a special novelty “item.”

    But for others who don’t have a special someone I was wondering what dessert would be best to fix to show themselves a special kind of love while giving their taste buds a wonderful gift. Then it came to me one of my favorite desserts – Crème Brulee.

   Crème Brulee is awesome. It’s custard with a sugary topping and it melts in your mouth and it’s something you can enjoy whether you want to share it or not. I enjoy this dessert because I enjoy how it melts in your mouth and its one of those pleasurable dessert that has a “sinful” amount of calories but well worth the eating.
    Now Crème Brulee is a very rich dessert created with egg yolks, whipping cream, sugar, vanilla and some recipes call for brown sugar or add white or dark chocolate. However you like to make it is an enjoyable desserts that is fun and sensual.
   Remember, everyone is special and you don’t need a special day to celebrate you, but it’s fun to celebrate Valentines Day even when it’s just you. Enjoy!

            Crème Brulee

            Ingredients

            6 Egg Yolks

            1/3-cup Sugar

            21/2-tablespoon Vanilla Extract

            ½-cup Dark Brown Sugar

            Directions

            Beat Eggs and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Set aside.

            Bring whipping cream to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating at a low speed until blended; stir in vanilla. Pour into 8 (5- x 1-inch) round baking dishes. Place baking dishes in a 15- x10-inch pan. Add hot water to depth of ½ inch.

            Bake at 275 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until almost set. Remove custard cups from pan, and cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

            Sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and place in a pan.

            Broil 51/2 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) until sugar melts (about 2 to 3 minutes). Let stand 5 minutes to allow sugar to harden. Garnish, if desired with strawberries or fresh mint or your favorite garnish for desserts.

Yield: 8 servings

                                                                        Coastal Living (March-April 1999)