Crème brûlée
Crème brûlée is a luxurious dessert which will enchant even the most demanding guest. The creamy custard that can be only reached by cracking through the sugar layer is just so incredible.
1. Pour heavy cream in a saucepan. Add vanilla bean and pinch of salt.
2. Cook the mixture over a low heat just until hot.
3. Discard the vanilla bean and let it sit.
4. In the meantime, separate the egg yolks from the egg whites.
5. In a bowl, beat yolks with caster sugar until light and smooth.
6. Stir about 1/4 of the cream into the yolks-sugar mixture. Add slowly the rest.
7. Preheat the oven to 160° C.
8. Prepare the ramekins (baking dishes for crème brûlée).
9. Pour the mixture in the ramekins (4-6 ramekins) and put them in a baking dish (with higher sides).
10. Fill the baking dish with boiling water 2/3 up the sides of the ramekins.
11. Put the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes until centers are barely set.
12. Take the baking dish out of the oven. Slowly take out the ramekins from the water.
13. Let them cool completely and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
14. Before serving, sprinkle 1-2 tsps of caster sugar over each ramekin and spread it out with the back of a spoon to completely cover.
15. Use a blow torch to caramelise the sugar.