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I am constantly amazed at how animated and talkative people get when you mention food. The mere aroma of certain foods can evoke memories that transport us back to a special place and time. Food can bridge the gap between all ages, races and ethnicities.
Let's face it, the only thing that should ever come between people is a table and some serving bowls.

Friday, November 9, 2007

They've Turned Me Into a Flan-atic


My family in California taught me their recipe for “California Flan”. I believe that the only reason that it is called this is because the people who are making it are from California. This recipe is similar to a great many flan recipes that are already out there. Don’t get me wrong this is a really good recipe, I have had flan on different occasions and some were better than others. I find some recipes for flan to be overly complicated, this one is not and it is also very smooth and creamy unlike some that are a little gelatinous. I would have to say that my family turned me into a big fan of flan.

California Flan

3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 cup water
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons of vanilla

Place sugar in a small heavy skillet. Heat slowly until sugar melts and turns golden brown (watch carefully, it will caramelize quickly). Pour into a warm 1 quart baking dish. Tip and turn the dish quickly to coat the bottom and sides thinly. Beat the eggs in a large bowl until foamy. Stir in the milk and beat it until well blended. Add the water and vanilla. Stir again. Pour into the caramel coated dish. Set the dish in a larger baking pan on the oven shelf. Pour 1 inch of boiling water in the larger pan. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour at 300 degrees until almost set, but still soft. Do not over bake, as it will set as it cools. Remove at once from the pan of water and cool on a wire rack. Chill. When ready to serve, loosen sides with a knife and invert onto a plate.

9 comments:

Nic said...

My mum used to make this when we were little, we called it 'creme caramel', but I haven't had it for years.
Yours looks really good - all that caramel sauce - yum!

Julie said...

Thanks Nic, I had forgotten how good flan really is.

Patricia Scarpin said...

It is very similar to one of the most popular desserts we have here - the only difference is that we use milk instead of water.
Your flan looks fantastic, Julie!

Anonymous said...

Never made a flan but seems easy enough. I think I'll give it a try.

Julie said...

As far as desserts go Megan flan is one of the easier ones to make. But it has such a rich taste , it fools you into thinking that it was difficult to prepare.

Gretchen Noelle said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I look forward to trying to make flan very soon! Thanks for the recipe!

Chris said...

I am a huge fan of flan! This looks wonderful!

Julie said...

Thank you Chris

Julie said...

You are welcome Gretchen, your blog is beautifully done.