Tuesday, September 30, 2008

TWD - creme brulee


This week’s TWD recipe is chosen by Mari of Mervrouw Cupcake and is crème brulee. When I have made crème brulee in the past, I have made a custard and then baked the custards in a bain marie before caramelising the top. Dorie’s recipe was far less hassle, as you simply mixed the hot milk and cream with the egg yolks and sugar, then poured this into the ramekins and baked in the oven without the use of a water bath and without having to cook the custard.

I was a little nervous as to how they would turn out, as my understanding is that the water bath gives a much gentler heat so the custards will still be silky smooth. I needn’t have worried, as the crème brulees still turned out silky smooth. The only issue I had with mine was the caramelising the sugar on top. Mum and Dad gave me a brulee torch for Christmas a few years ago, but being “a bit quick” (as my husband always tells me!) and not reading the instructions properly, I filled it with the wrong gas and have never been able to use it! So, I had to use the grill (broiler for US readers!), except, the oven at our house (still pre-re-build) doesn’t have a very efficient grill function. But, we do have a great oven at work, so brought the brulees in to work. I still didn’t get quite the brulee effect that I wanted. I may have to ask again for a brulee torch this Christmas!!!

The other thing is that my brulee is not very photogenic!! I did have one goodish photo, but somehow I have managed to permanently delete it! So, apologies for the photo. I also added raspberries to my brulee which you cant see in the photo. I think I prefer the brulee without them. A crisp biscuit such as a tuile or biscotti would be the perfect accompaniment.

Check out the other TWDers brulees here. And, next week is my turn to chose the recipe! I cant believe how quickly my turn has come around! I am choosing the caramel and peanut topped chocolate brownie cake. I can’t wait to make it in the weekend!!

23 comments:

kimberly salem said...

glad your creme brulee was a success! i am finishing mine in a few hours :)
great choice for next week!

CB said...

I was thinking the same thing about the water bath-less part of this recipe but Dorie's done it again and no water bath necessary. I loved this recipe. Yours look creamy and smooth on that spoon. Great job!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

steph- whisk/spoon said...

how funny to bring them to work to brulee! :)
looking forward to your cake next week!

p.s.: i found the book "Ladies, a Plate," and i love it!!

Morven said...

Glad the recipe turned out for you. Can't wait to see what you choose for your turn.

Pamela said...

Oh, Tammy! I'm SO looking forward to the choice you made for next week!! The picture you have up of the brulee looks fabulous! Great job.

Jacque said...

I think your brulee looks darn good! All creamy and caramelized. Nice work!

Fiona and Michael Brown said...

that looks divine......
So creamy with the crunch factor on top...YUM

ostwestwind said...

I do crème brûlee since ages without a water bath and had always success. Congratulations to your great work!

Ulrike from Küchenlatein

Cakelaw said...

LOL - I am "a bit quick" too with lots of things! The spoonful in the photo looks delicious to me.

Anonymous said...

it's always so disappointing when the photos don't come out, but that spoonful looks wonderful!

Prudy said...

It looks good to me on the spoon! Glad you liked it. I can't wait for next week either.

Anonymous said...

That spoonful looks so good. And A for effort taking your brulees in to work!

Engineer Baker said...

Even your "subpar" photo looks exquisite - the creme brulee looks wonderfully creamy.

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

I am glad yours came out so well! I have had my torch for several years and just used mine for the first time on this recipe. I was just scared. :)

Sihan said...

oh so you're the one who made that choice.. gosh..my waistline.. argh.. haha.

Unknown said...

Caramel and peanut topped brownie sounds great. I'm not a DB but I might give it a go. Is it in the book 'Baking - From my home to yours'?

Mari said...

I permanently deleted some photos last week, so I can totally commiserate with your situation! Whatever the case, I'm so glad that you made the crème brûlée and that you liked it!

Anonymous said...

Your spoonful looks delicious! I can't wait for your recipe choice next week...

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to next week's challenge! My photos are never what I expect of them. Your brulee looks great!

Heather B said...

The spoonful looks so yummy! Great job!

Jules Someone said...

Glad it worked out! Who cares if it's pretty!

Shari said...

A spoonful of deliciousness!

Marthe said...

I'm glad you liked your crème brûlée, I loved it too! Looking forward to making the brownie cake this weekend (and ofcourse posting about it Tuesday)