Interesting Facts
Flan, pronounced [FLAHN], is commonly used as a term to describe the Spanish, Portuguese or Mexican version of Creme Caramel normally baked in a water bath and turned out of it's mold onto a plate for serving. In England the term usually refers to a crust with either a sweet or savory filling. The crust is formed and baked in a flan ring, cooled and filled. The sweet filling frequently includes a custard.
You will find flan on the menu of almost any Mexican restaurant, since a smooth, soothing caramel custard makes the perfect finish to any hearty, spicy, intensely flavored main course.
Flan (Spanish Egg Custard)
1 can evaporated milk
1 can condensed milk
5 whole eggs
½ cup of sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar (for the caramel)
Flan - Blend all ingredients until completely mixed. Pour the flan mixture thru a metal strainer right into the caramelized pan.
Set the mold in a broiling pan (baño de María). Cook in a 350º oven for one hour. At 30 minutes check to see if it's getting too brown on top - if so cover loosely with foil.
Test the flan to see if it's done by inserting a knife in the center. If the flan is still soft, let it cook longer until a knife inserted again comes out clean. Remove from the oven carefully and let it sit on the counter until it cools. Then cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
To serve lay a plate on top of the mold then carefully flip it over and slide the mold off.
Caramel - Melt 1 cup sugar in a non-stick pan, over low heat. Keep your eye on it. If it burns you will have to start over. It just needs to melt that's all. Using a non stick pan will cause the caramel to just slip off the pan when pouring - easy to clean later.
Immediately pour the caramel into a metal pan and swirl it around to cover the bottom and sides. Your have to be quick because once it starts to cool down you don't stand a chance. The caramel should have cooled down before you pour the egg mixture in it.