I know Flan should be over at my blog called PastriesandSweets.Com...
However, there is old fashioned pink popcorn being served there now.
So, we'll just have to have some flan over here today.
All to ourselves ;)
The recipe I use is identical to this one here.
It's fail proof, seriously.
Try it.
Soon.
You'll be so happy you did.
The only thing I do different, is that I omit the 1/2 cup sugar in the egg/milk mixture.
You can leave it in, I just don't like super sweet flan, since there is already sugar over the top.
Plus, the sweetened condensed milk is super sweet.
Note * Before you begin making your flan, put your water bath in the oven as the oven preheats.
Then melt your 1 cup of sugar that serves as your caramel topping.
Remember, as soon as the sugar (for your topping) looks like it is about melted (stirring often), remove it from the heat, because once it totally melts, and it is still on the heat, it burns up fast.
Also, it's crrrazy hot, so be extra careful.
Then pour it into 6 small ramekins, or one large.
I opt for one large, and use a 1 hour cooking time.
Pour it in and swirl around the sides carefully to coat.
The sugar will harden faster than fast.
That's okay.
Now, put it aside and make the custard mixture.
I use a hand mixture to get it really smooth.
Then, simply pour it into your prepared baking dish that has the sugar coating in it.
And, pop it into your pre-heated water bath oven...
Some people cover it as it cooks, so that you don't get a thin skin where the mixture meets the oven air.
I don't much care about that.
So, this is what it looks like when it is cooked uncovered.
As soon as it pops out of the oven, I take a hot plate and place it in my fridge.
Then I put the hot flan on the hot plate, and pop it into the fridge for 2 hours.
You can leave it in longer if you want it really chilled well.
In fact, you can leave it in the fridge until the next day if you are premaking it.
The point is, it has to be refrigerated at least 1-2 hours before you even think about serving it.
Or, you'll have a hot mess on your hands because the custard won't be set.
When I am ready to serve it, I take a really sharp knife, and run it around the entire flan.
Hold a plate over your baking dish, and flip.
Then, watch the magic happen...
The sugar you caramelized has turned into a beautiful syrup.
Perfecto!
Sorry about these horrid night time photos, but Mister Lovee was not going to wait for morning shots.
He had to gobble half of it in one go.
It was awesome.
Give it a whirl.
Easy and yumm.
If you like flan, you'll love this.
As for other things.
I am in heart mode.
You?
Although, I love hearts any time of the year.
When Valentine's Day looms, I always want to make super homemade treats.
Like wonky frilly Valentine's with glue bits showing.
For some reason, in my mind, Valentine's day is filled with obviously homemade items.
That aren't really well made.
I find vast charm in such items.
Quirky akwardly made this and that's always steal my heart.
I made some pitiful little glue hearts on wax paper recently.
They are so wobbly and tattered, but they scream Valentine's day as I see it in my heart.
I just painted thick pure craft glue in heart shapes on wax paper, and covered the glue with sparkles.
I let them dry over night, and then...
I carefully pealed them off the wax paper the next day.
I left some of the wax paper in the center of the hearts.
The fun in making them, takes away from how wonderfully awful they are.
It's a super easy craft for kidlettes too.
I used double stick tape to stick them to my windows...
Whilst under serious supervision :)
What have you been up to?
I have too many projects going at once as usual.
I think I need some sound discipline.
Let's see, what have I been up to?
Shopping, tidying, outings with Lovee.
Garden.
Cottage.
Obliteraing the last of the giant pumpkin patch (dry vines etc).
Lots of creating too.
I have been sketching and painting.
Sculpting...
Watercoloring...
But most important of all.
I've been cuddling.
The most wonderful all good things.
Fur.
I have taught the boys to human hug so much, from the time they were little babies, that they cuddle up to me, and beg for hugs about 457 times a day.
Yay.
Yay for hugs.
Well, I am currently fleshing out a painting, so I best be on my way.
It's warm and sunny, and sprouts are sprouting.
Violets are blooming.
I am mowing, plowing, tilling.
Work work work in the garden.
Seed catalogs pour out of my mailbox.
Happy happy joy joy!!
See you soon!
Looove, V
Ps: How about some random things?
We haven't done 3 random things in a while.
Okay, let's see here.
1) Mick Jagger's moves always make me smile.
If you learn these, you can get a work out warm up.
Ha!
In fact, I think you should learn the moves today.
:)
2) Mister Lovee looks like a Rolling Stone.
Like, he's been a missing member all these years or something.
Big time.
Seriously.
3) The singer in this ALWAYS amuses me.
Such sound outbursts must be soooo liberating.
Must try.
