Fruitedoatmealbruleewithgingermaplecream Recipes

THE BEST CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Line a large heavy roasting pan (a turkey roasting pan works great) with a clean kitchen towel and place 4 six-ounce ramekins on top of the towel spaced a few inches apart.
• Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Using the back of a paring knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from both halves of the pod. Add the seeds and pod to the cream. Whisk in the salt and 3 tablespoons of the sugar and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• Vigorously whisk the yolks and 3 more tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can use an electric mixer on high speed and beat until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 1 minute.
• Whisking the yolks constantly, add a couple of teaspoons at a time from 1 cup of the hot cream, then increase to a steady stream until the cream is fully incorporated. (Don't pour too much hot cream at once or you'll end up with scrambled eggs.) The yolks are now tempered. Whisk the tempered yolks back into the remaining hot cream until combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or medium pitcher for easier pouring; discard the vanilla pods.
• Skim the foam off the top of the custard by placing a clean paper towel on top and lightly pressing down so it touches the surface and absorbs some of the liquid. This will make for a completely smooth and silky custard. Fill the ramekins with the custard, about 3/4 cup per ramekin.
• Carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan halfway up the sides of the ramekins without getting any water in the custard. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the custard is set around the edges but still has a slight jiggle in the center, 35 to 45 minutes. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and transfer the ramekins to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate until very cold, about 3 hours.
• Just before serving, evenly spread 1 tablespoon of the sugar over the top of a custard. Hold a kitchen torch 2 inches above the surface. Starting in the center of the ramekin, move the flame in a circular motion and work your way out to the edges to caramelize the sugar. Repeat with the remaining sugar and custards.
• Alternatively, arrange a rack in the top position of the oven and heat the broiler on high. Place the ramekins on a rack set inside a baking sheet and broil until deep golden brown, 15 to 60 seconds, checking every 10 seconds.
• Freeze the custards for 5 minutes before serving (see Cook's Note).

IRISH OATMEAL BRULEE WITH DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS AND A MAPLE CREAM

Steps:

• Cook oatmeal in water with a pinch of salt over medium heat for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat cream over low heat heat. Place star anise, cinnamon and orange zest in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie with cotton string. Add to cream and simmer about 10 minutes to infuse the cream. Whisk in maple syrup and cook until cream coats the back of a spoon. Remove the sachet of spices. Place 1/2 of the oatmeal in a heat proof bowl. Sprinkle an even layer of the fruits and nuts over the oatmeal, cover the second half of oatmeal. Sprinkle sugar over the top and place bowl under the broiler until sugar caramelizes, adding more sugar if necessary to achieve a crisp shell. Serve immediately with the maple cream.

IRISH OATMEAL BRULEE WITH DRIED FRUIT AND MAPLE CREAM

Steps:

• Place oats in a bowl, and cover with water by 2 inches. Cover bowl, and let stand overnight.
• In a small saucepan, combine cream, star anise, cinnamon stick and orange zest. Bring mixture to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove spices and orange. Whisk maple syrup into cream, increase heat to medium-high and simmer until mixture thickens enough to coat back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, drain oats and place them in a saucepan with 3 1/4 cups water. Simmer over medium heat until tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes. Stir in salt.
• Preheat broiler. In a small bowl, combine dried fruit and nuts. Divide half the oatmeal among four broiler-proof bowls or large ramekins, then top with fruits and nuts. Cover with remaining oatmeal, and smooth tops. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over each, and place under broiler. Broil until sugar caramelizes and forms a crust, about 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully so sugar doesn't burn. Serve immediately with maple cream.