**Crema Catalana: A Journey into the Realm of Creamy Delights**
In the culinary realm, few desserts exude an aura of elegance and sophistication quite like Crema Catalana. This classic Spanish custard dessert has captivated taste buds for centuries with its rich, velvety texture, caramelized sugar topping, and a symphony of flavors that dance upon the palate. Originating in the vibrant region of Catalonia, Crema Catalana boasts a legacy steeped in tradition and craftsmanship. Join us as we embark on a culinary adventure, exploring the secrets behind this delectable dessert and uncovering the diverse recipes that bring its magic to life. From the traditional Catalan recipe to modern interpretations infused with unique ingredients, discover the culinary artistry that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary taste sensation. Prepare to indulge in a delightful voyage through the world of Crema Catalana, where each bite promises a moment of pure bliss.
CREMA CATALANA / SPANISH BURNT CREAM CUSTARD
Crema catalana is a Spanish custard dessert very similar to crème brulee. This dessert is made with milk, cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, orange peel, and cinnamon.
Provided by Layla Pujol
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring the milk, cream, vanilla, orange rind and cinnamon (if using) to a boil over low heat.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool down.
- Strain the milk and cream mixture to remove the vanilla bean, orange peel strips and cinnamon stick.
- Mix the egg yolks and ½ cup of regular sugar until you obtain a thick creamy mixture.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in ¼ cup of milk mixture, the stir it back into the remaining milk.
- Mix the milk in with the eggs and sugar, place it in a double boiler pan (or in a heat resistant glass bowl in a pan of water baño Maria style) over medium low heat, and stirring consistently until the cream thickens, do not let it boil.
- Cool the cream and pour into the ramekins or cazuelas.
- Chill for 24 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the raw sugar over each ramekin or cazuela, heat the iron and press it against the sugar until it is burnt. You may also use a torch or place it under the broiler in the oven.
- Serve immediately.
CREMA CATALANA (CATALAN BURNT CREAM)
I haven't tried this, but it looks like a tasty dessert. From The Essential Mediterranean Cookbook.
Provided by Heydarl
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the milk, scraped vanilla bean, cinnamon stick and lemon and orange zests in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and set aside.
- Whisk the egg yolds with the caster sugar in a bowl for about 5 minutes, until pale and creamy. Add the cornflour and mix well. Slowly add the warm milk mixture to the egg and whisk continuously. Return to the saucepan and cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and creamy. Do not boil as it will curdle. Pour into six 1 cup ramekins and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and grill for 3 minutes or until it caramelises.
CREMA CATALANA
Crema Catalana or Catalan Cream is the Spanish version of the French dessert, crème brulée. Due to the close proximity of Cataluña to France, some believe the famous French dessert actually originated in Cataluña! Wherever it originated won't matter as you eat this dessert, letting it dissolve in your mouth! It is a great dessert for Spring, since it is also called Crema de Sant Josep, or St. Joseph's cream, traditionally prepared on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day, the Spanish equivalent of Father's Day in the USA. This is a great dessert to make ahead of time, since it is very easy and requires 2-3 hours of refrigeration before serving. Make it the day before and leave it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Then heat the broiler, caramelize the sugar and serve! (Chill times not included).
Provided by Annacia
Categories Dessert
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a pot, beat together the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar until thoroughly blended and the mixture turns frothy.
- Add the cinnamon stick and grated lemon rind.
- Mix the cornstarch with 2 tbsp of the cold milk, when well mixed return it to the remaining 2 cups of milk.
- Pour in the milk.
- Slowly heat the mixture, stirring constantly, just until thickened.
- Remove pot from heat immediately.
- Tip: As soon as the mixture thickens and you feel resistance while stirring, remove the pot from the heat or the mixture may curdle or separate! The texture of the finished crema will be grainy instead of smooth and creamy, this is as it should be.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and ladle the milk mixture into 4 ramekins (individual serving size).
- Allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.
- Before serving, preheat the broiler.
- Remove ramekins with the crema catalana from refrigerator and sprinkle the rest of the sugar over each ramekin.
- When broiler is hot, place the ramekins under the broiler on the top shelf and allow the sugar to caramelize, turning gold and brown.
- This may take 10 minutes or so, depending on your broiler. Remove and serve immediately.
- If you'd like, you can serve the crema catalana chilled, but we think it has more flavor when served warm from the broiler.
CREMA CATALANA FOAM
Provided by Ferran Adrià
Categories Sauce Citrus Dairy Dessert Gourmet Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat cream and milk with vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and zests in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until just hot and let stand 5 minutes to infuse.
- Whisk together yolks, sugar, and flour until thick and pale. Pour hot cream through a sieve into yolk mixture, whisking until smooth, and transfer custard to cleaned pan. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F, about 10 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a metal bowl set in an ice-water bath and cool, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer custard to siphon and screw on top tightly. Unscrew charge holder from head and put in a charger. Reattach charge holder and screw on tightly. Gas will be released into siphon (with a whooshing sound) within a few seconds. Chill filled siphon at least 1 hour to produce a stiffer foam. Remove and discard first charger. (As you unscrew charge holder, you'll hear a brief hissing sound.) If fitting from holder comes out attached to charger, just remove charger and reattach fitting. Screw on second charger and chill at least 15 minutes (longer if foam is not thick enough).
- Shake siphon well. Turn upside down and press lever to fill 3/4-cup glasses or cups with foam. Serve immediately.
CREMA CATALANA
My family loves this Spanish dessert so I usually make 8 portions, so we have can eat it 2 days in a row. You can of course also half the ingredients.
Provided by Marianne
Categories Spanish Recipes
Time 5h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Mix in cornstarch.
- Peel lemon in one piece. Combine milk, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, and vanilla seeds in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, cover, and allow the milk to get infused with the flavorings for 30 minutes and cool. Whisk egg yolk-sugar mixture into the lukewarm milk.
- Return to heat and simmer, stirring constantly, over low heat until cream thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove lemon peel and cinnamon stick. Spoon cream into 8 ovenproof ramikens and allow to cool completely, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar onto each ramiken and set under the broiler until sugar caramelizes, 1 to 2 minutes. Pay close attention so sugar does not burn.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.7 calories, Carbohydrate 53.7 g, Cholesterol 217 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 61.9 mg, Sugar 50 g
Tips:
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for making the custard base to prevent scorching.
- Make sure to use full-fat milk and cream for a richer and creamier texture.
- Temper the egg yolks by gradually whisking in the hot milk mixture to prevent them from curdling.
- Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
- Pour the custard into individual ramekins or a large baking dish.
- Place the ramekins or baking dish in a larger pan filled with hot water to create a water bath.
- Bake the custard in a preheated oven until it is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Allow the custard to cool completely before refrigerating it.
- Before serving, sprinkle the top of the custard with sugar and caramelize it with a kitchen torch or under a broiler.
- Serve the crema catalana immediately, garnished with fresh berries or citrus zest.
Conclusion:
Crema catalana is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion. With its creamy custard base, caramelized sugar topping, and a variety of flavor variations, it is sure to please everyone. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe provides detailed instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the process of making this classic Catalan dessert. Remember to use high-quality ingredients, follow the steps carefully, and take pride in your culinary creation. Impress your friends and family with this delectable treat, and indulge in the rich flavors and textures of crema catalana.
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