CHEESE FLAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook, without stirring, brushing down sugar crystals from side of pan using a pastry brush dipped in cold water and swirling pan occasionally so caramel browns evenly, until dark amber. Immediately pour into ramekins and swirl so caramel coats bottom of each and partway up side, then put in a roasting pan.
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Bring milk with cinnamon stick just to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan, then remove from heat and let steep, covered, 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon.
• Meanwhile, blend condensed milk and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl, then whisk in hot milk.
• Divide among ramekins, then add enough boiling water to pan to reach halfway up sides of ramekins. Cover pan loosely with a sheet of foil and bake until custards are just set (they will still wobble slightly in center when tapped), 45 to 55 minutes.
• Remove ramekins from water bath and let stand at least 15 minutes (flan will continue to set). Just before serving (warm or at room temperature), run a thin knife around flans to loosen, then invert onto plates.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
• Melt the sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until it turns into a smooth dark amber caramel.
• Pour into the bottom of an 8-inch souffle dish or other round mold.
• Using the back of a knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add to a blender.
• Add the three milks, eggs, cream cheese and almond extract.
• Blend until smooth, then pour through a strainer into the caramel-lined mold.
• Set the mold into a larger baking pan and pour enough very hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the mold.
• Bake until the flan has set, 2 1/2-3 hours-- a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
• Let cool, then cover the mold and refrigerate overnight.
• When you are ready to serve, run a knife along the inside of the mold to loosen the flan.
• Pour about 1/2 inch of hot water in a pan large enough to hold the mold and set the mold in it for 10 minutes, so it will unmold more easily.
• Remove it from the water, wipe dry and place a shallow bowl or a small platter over the top.
• Invert the flan into the bowl, and serve.