For me creme brulee is my ultimate favourite dessert. Many people (including my wife) are on the fence about whether dessert should be all about choc or well, more decadent like a brulee. For me - I say, give me brulee all day, everyday!
I would be lying if I said that the base of this recipe is mine. In fact it's one that I got from the bible of cookbooks Larousse Gastrominque. The milk is omitted that they suggest putting in - makes it a little richer in my book. HOWEVER, what I can lay claim to is the accompanying rhubarb compote - that's all me!
Rhubarb
I just love when rhubarb is in season. Such a great and versatile vegetable. What's that you say? Rhubarb is a vegetable. Come on, AnotherFoodBlogger what are you smoking today? Well, most people consider rhubarb a fruit, probably because you typically see it being used in desserts such as crumble (check mine out here) or in jams, but in fact rhubarb is indeed a vegetable. Who knew? Rhubarb is quite tart and generally requires large quantities of sugar to make it palatable. Another reason we presume it to be a fruit! Now, back to the task at hand - creme brulee.
For many of you I am sure creme brulee is considered quite daunting to make. But honestly its SO simple. In fact I made 3 this morning in about 45 mins start to finish and about 35 of those I spent feeding and changing my daughter and eating my own brekkie.
Catering
Now if that doesn't make you interested in trying this out, then I don't know what will. I made this dish last week too for a catering gig that I did here in Brisbane. What I love about it is the fact it's all pre-made. Oh, and with enough foresight to make a few extra, I can sample one and know that on the day my guests are gonna love it. No rushing around the kitchen staring at the oven on game day praying my freshly baked treats are gonna turn out ok. All you need to do is put a thin layer of sugar on top just before serving, give it a blast of the blowtorch and job's a done!
As always, I'd love to see your versions of this so tag me @another_food_blogger or pin me on pinterest and most importantly if you enjoy my little ramblings don't forget to subscribe.
Ingredients
Brulee Mix
- 3 egg yolks
- 300 ml cream
- 1/2 vanilla bean cut in half & seeds removed
- 1/4 cup castor sugar
Rhubarb Compote
- 3 rhubarb stalks chopped
- 1/2 vanilla bean cut in half & seeds removed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 40 ml orange juice
- 40 ml water
- castor or brown sugar for bruleeing
Instructions
Rhubarb Compote
- Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and cook for 4 mins with the lid on and then 4 mins with the lid off. Leave to cool.
Creme Brulee - according to Larousse
- In the bowl, mix together the sugar, egg yolks and vanilla.
- Add the cream slowly, whisk until all combined and then strain through a sieve to remove any lumps.
- Place 1 tbsp of compote on bottom of ramekin and top with brulee mix.
- Place in a bain marie *see tip* and cook in the oven for 30mins @ 180c or until egg mixture is nearly set *see tip*.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool for 30mins and then place in the fridge to set for minimum 1 hour.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp brown or castor sugar *see tip* and using a blowtorch caramelise the top.
Notes
Essential Tools
- whisk
- mixing bow
- lmeasuring spoons/jug
- sieve
- saucepan
- chopping board
- knife
- towel
- baking dish
- 3 or 4 ramekins - 8oz in size
- blowtorch
Tips/Tricks
- many recipes call for you to heat the cream and then mix it into the eggs. They aren't wrong but I find this way works just as well (and so does Mr Larousse!!)
- what's a bain marie you say? This is a vessel (baking dish in this case) that contains hot water. First thing to do is to place a towel in the bottom of the baking dish (this stops the bottom of the brulees from scorching), place the brulee ramekins into the baking dish and then pour hot water until it reaches 1/2 way up the ramekin
- how do you know it's set? simply, give it a gentle shake and the egg should ever so slightly wobble, if it seems liquidy when shaking it then it's not set. Remember it will still continue to cook/set when you remove it so you want a very slight wobble
- sugar - typically it's best to use super fine sugar so you get an even caramelisation on top so castor sugar they say is best BUT personally I find you get a better layer using brown. The key is to have a good even spread of sugar and not to hold the blowtorch too close to the sugar or else it will just burn
One of my favorite desserts. It looks mouth-watering and really delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
My pleasure Rowena!! You’ve got good taste
Oh, I have never tasted RHUBARB in my life. We don't get to see such vegetable in Singapore common market. But I do see such vegetable when I was living in Australia. Once again a great recipe here.
Cheers!! At worst you can make the Creme brûlée without rhubarb and enjoy it
oh my goodness my husband love CB and he'd die for this!
Better not let him die so ??
I love rhubarb in desserts. I just wish that I could find it at my grocery stores.
It’s very seasonal. I’m sure it will turn up soon!!
I do love a good creme brulee and this is lovely. Looks so creamy and delicious.
Thanks Joan. The rhubarb addition is great too
Everything with egg is my daughter's favorite. Thank you for sharing your recipe, I would love to try this at home on weekend.
Super good. My husband and sister both LOVE creme brulee and they both really liked this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome - they have GREAT taste
This is my favourite dessert of all time.
You and me both ?
Everything with egg is my daughter's favorite. Thank you for sharing this, I would love to try this at home this weekend.
That’s awesome!! Let me know if you have any Q’s and I’d love to see some pics too - tag me @another_food_blogger
Can you double this recipe?
Sure can! I’ve made it for about 20ppl. Just make sure to evenly distribute the mix (as best as possible) before baking. Doesn’t need to be exact but you don’t want 1 half the size of other ?