Mint Creme Brulee Recipes

MINT CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Heat cream in a small pot with fresh mint. Simmer, stirring occasionally so a skin doesn't form, until the mint leaves are wilted and the cream smells strongly of mint (10-20 minutes or so, or longer to taste).
• Meanwhile, cream together the eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl. Try not to incorporate a bunch of air into the mixture. I like to use a fork to do this.
• Strain the cream to remove the mint leaves. Let it cool somewhat.
• SLOWLY pour the strained cream into the eggs and sugar, mixing as you do so (if you go too fast you'll end up cooking the egg).
• Pour the mixture into 6 ramekins. Place in a baking dish and fill the baking dish with water up to the level of the cream in the ramekins. DON'T splash water into the ramekins. The water bath helps keep the cream from overheating as it cooks, but if you get water in the cream it will not set properly.
• Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. How long will depend on the shape of your ramekins. The cream is done when it is set but still jiggly in the center.
• Remove ramekins from the water bath and allow to cool to room temperature. Then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least a couple hours.
• When ready to eat, top with a teaspoon or two of sugar and caramelize with a torch. Try to melt the sugar without burning it. Don't make your layer too thick or it will burn. You can also caramelize the sugar by placing the ramekins under the broiler, but I've never had success this way, I always end up with burned patches.

PEPPERMINT CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Combine whipping cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and schnapps, and stir with a whisk until smooth.
• (the sugar will dissolve).
• Divide the mixture evenly in 5 (5x1-inch) round single serving baking dishes.
• Set the dishes on a large roasting pan or jellyroll pan (15x 10x 1-inch).
• Add one inch of hot water to pan.
• Bake at for 45-50 minutes at 275 degrees, until almost set.
• Cool in the pan of water on a wire rack, then remove from pan.
• Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
• Sprinkle crushed candies over each custard and place them in a pan.
• Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) until candy melts.
• Cool for 5 minutes or until top hardens, then garnish if desired.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together on low speed until just combined. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a small saucepan until it's very hot to the touch but not boiled. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and orange liqueur and pour into 6 to 8-ounce ramekins until almost full.
• Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the custards are set when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm.
• To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on the top of each ramekin and heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar carmelizes evenly. Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute until the caramelized sugar hardens.

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).