RAMICAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare oven and ramekins: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place a small bowl of cold water and a pastry brush near the stovetop, and prepare an ice-water bath. Place eight 4-ounce ramekins in a large roasting pan. Bring a large kettle or pot of water to a boil.
• Make caramel: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, mix sugar and water, stirring to combine. Do not stir again. Cook, washing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming, until caramel is amber, about 8 minutes, swirling pan to color evenly. Remove from heat, and immerse bottom of pan in ice-water bath for 3 seconds to stop cooking. Dry bottom of pan. Working quickly, pour about 1 tablespoon caramel into each ramekin, swirling each to coat bottoms evenly.
• Make custard: In a small saucepan, heat milk with half the sugar (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) over medium heat just until mixture starts to steam and bubble around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes (do not let it boil).
• Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolks, remaining sugar, and salt.
• Temper eggs: Add ladle of hot milk mixture to the egg mixture and whisk to combine. (This is called tempering, and it prevents the eggs from curdling.) Add two more ladles of milk mixture, one at a time, whisking to combine after each addition. Gradually whisk in remaining milk mixture.
• Strain: Strain through a fine sieve into a large liquid measuring cup or a bowl (to remove any cooked bits of egg). Stir in vanilla.
• Bake: Divide custard evenly among ramekins. Place pan in oven. Add enough boiling water to pan to come halfway up the sides of ramekins. Bake until custards are just set (they should tremble slightly in center when shaken), 35 to 42 minutes.
• Chill and serve: Remove pan from oven. Use tongs to carefully remove ramekins from hot-water bath and place on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 8 hours (or up to 3 days). To unmold, run a sharp knife around inside of ramekins, and place a rimmed serving plate upside down over top of each. Invert, and gently lift ramekin to remove. Serve immediately. 

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Prepare an ice bath and set aside.
• Place eight ramekins in two baking pans lined with kitchen towels or 8-inch round cake pan.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil; keep hot until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup sugar with the water over medium heat; cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Swirl pan occasionally, DO NOT STIR.
• Wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming.
• Increase heat to medium-high; continue cooking until caramel is amber, about 8 minutes, gently swirling pan to color evenly.
• Remove from heat,and immerse bottom in ice bath for 3 seconds to stop cooking.
• Dry bottom of pan.
• Working quickly, pour about 1 tablespoon into each ramekin; OR pour all into cake pan and swirl to coat bottom evenly; set aside.
• In a small saucepan heat milk over medium heat just until bubbles form around edges and milk starts to steam,5 to 6 minutes Turn off heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together yolks, eggs, and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until combined.
• Slowly add hot milk whisking constantly.
• Pour mixture through a fine sieve into clean bowl; skim off surface foam with a spoon.
• Stir in Vanilla, and pour custard into ramekins or cake pan.
• Carefully pour the hot water into baking pan until it reaches halfway up the side of ramekin or cake pan.
• Bake until center is set when gently touched with finger, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator to chill, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• To unmold, run a sharp knife around edges and place a serving plate upside down over the top; invert and gently lift pan to remove.
• Serve.