LARGE HEAVY BOTTOM SAUCEPAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Grease an 8 by 4-inch (20 by 10 cm) loaf pan and line it with a parchment sling so that the paper comes up all the sides and has about a 2-inch (5 cm) overhang on each side. Grease the parchment paper.
• In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan (the caramel will bubble up quite a bit once it starts cooking, so it’s important to have a deep pan) over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt, stirring very gently to combine while trying to avoid getting any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan. Cover and bring to a boil, until the sugar has melted and the mixture is clear, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Uncover and cook until the sugar has turned light golden and reaches 300ºF (150ºC) on an instant-read thermometer, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and cook until deep golden (340ºF or 170ºC), about 4 to 5 minutes more. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and add the heavy cream and butter (the cream will foam considerably, so be careful pouring it in).
• Return the pan to medium-high heat and cook until the caramel reaches the desired stage, stirring frequently, 4 to 7 minutes. For soft, melt-in-your mouth caramels, cook until 248ºF (120ºC), and for firmer caramels with a bit more chew, cook until 252ºF (122ºC). Stir in the vanilla off the heat. Let the caramel sit for 2 to 3 minutes, until the bubbles subside.
• Carefully pour the caramel into the prepared pan and gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to eliminate any air bubbles. Let the caramel cool completely, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour.
• Using the parchment overhang, lift the caramel out of the pan. Peel away the parchment paper and cut the caramel in half lengthwise, then cut each half into twelve 2-inch (5 cm) pieces, for 24 rectangular pieces. Candies can be left as rectangles, or cut again into squares, for a total of 48 pieces. Individually wrap each caramel in wax paper or cellophane, twisting the ends of the paper closed. The wrapped caramels can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine apples, Crispin, Spartan or Empire Apples can be used, sugar, cinnamon lemon rind and nutmeg.
• Cook over medium heat, until apples softened, stirring occasionally about 10 minutes. Spread this mixture into six, 6 ounce heatproof ramekins, and chill.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with sugar.
• In the saucepan that you used for the apples, heat cream, until just before boiling, scraping down the apple bits and spices on the pan into the cream mixture.
• Whisking constantly, pour in the egg mixture, and continue stirring until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Do not let it boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Strain evenly onto the chilled apple mixture in each ramekin, and let cool.
• Let cool overnight.
• At least 1 hour before serving, and up to 1 day ahead, sprinkle custards with brown sugar.
• Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until sugar melts and colours.
• Chill until ready to serve.