Rich Mexican Custard Recipes

FLAN MEXICANO (MEXICAN FLAN)

Steps:

• Place sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts and turns a golden amber color, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully once syrup begins to change color, because it burns easily. Carefully pour the melted sugar syrup into a flan mold. Let cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pour whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, egg yolks, orange juice, orange peel, vanilla extract, and cornstarch into a blender, and blend for a minute or so, until the mixture is smooth. Pour in the cream, and pulse several times to incorporate the cream. Pour the mixture over the cooled caramel syrup in the flan mold.
• Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place the flan mold on the towel, inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the center of the flan is set but still slightly jiggly when moved, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let the flan cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. To serve, run a sharp paring knife around the inside of the mold to release the flan. Invert a plate on the mold, flip the mold over, and gently remove the mold to unmold the flan and reveal the syrupy caramel topping.

CORN CUSTARD WITH CHORIZO AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter baking dish.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chorizo, stirring occasionally, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain briefly, then transfer chorizo to baking dish. Reserve fat in skillet.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to fat in skillet and heat over moderately high heat, then sauté mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms are browned, about 8 minutes. Add chile and sauté, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to baking dish with chorizo.
• Purée 2 cups corn with cream cheese, cornmeal, and sugar in a food processor until as smooth as possible (mixture will still be grainy).
• Whisk together eggs, milk, and salt in a large bowl until combined well. Whisk in corn purée, scallions, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and remaining 2 cups corn until combined. Pour mixture into baking dish and sprinkle evenly with remaining cup cheese.
• Bake until puffed, set, and golden, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

NATILLAS (MEXICAN CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Dissolve 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in 1 cup of milk. Beat egg yolks. Add beaten egg yolks, 1 tablespoon nutmeg, and salt. This makes a thick paste.
• Put the rest of the milk in a heavy pan over low heat. Add the paste mixture and stir constantly. Cook until mixture comes to a boil and thickens or coats a spoon.
• Beat egg whites until stiff and then add 1 tablespoon sugar as you continue beating. Fold this mixture into hot custard.
• Pour into individual ramekin serving dishes (sometimes I use thick martini glasses if I want to get fancy).
• Chill for a minimum of 5 hours and sprinkle remaining nutmeg over chilled dessert for presentation.

JERICALLAS (MEXICAN BAKED CUSTARDS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 3 minutes, then turn off and allow to cool until lukewarm.
• Add 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture to the beaten eggs and stir to combine.
• Remove cinnamon sticks from the milk and discard. Gradually beat eggs into the lukewarm milk mixture until combined. Pour mixture into ramekins and place them in a large roasting tin. Add enough water so it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are lightly browned, about 40 minutes. Check the water level every so often so it does not cook dry, adding more water if needed.

MEXICAN FLAN (BAKED CARAMEL CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy skillet or saucepan, stirring constantly until it melts and turns a dark golden color.
• Remove from heat and immediately pour into a 4 1/2 cup metal ring mold, swish it around so it evenly coats the bottom of the ring mold.
• In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
• Stir in milk,1/2 cup sugar, vanilla and orange peel.
• Place caramel coated ring mold in another pan and place on an oven rack.
• Pour egg mixture into the ring mold and pour the hottest tap water possible around the ring mold to a depth of 1 inch.
• Bake at 325Ffor close to l hour or until a knife comes out clean.
• Cool flan on a wire rack, Chill for at least 3 1/2 hours.
• To unmold the flan loosen edges with a spatula, slip spatula down the sides to let air in.
• Place the serving platter over the mold and flip to allow the flan to slip onto the platter.
• Spoon the caramel that may remain in the mold on top of the flan.
• Pile sliced fruit in the center and serve.