Simple Custard / Crema din oua si lapte

Directions

1. Grease a medium sized pan (butter is best), and pre-heat the oven to low.

2. Start a large pot of water boiling (to cook the custard in).

3. In a large bowl, whisk (or beat well with a fork) milk and honey. Make sure honey globs aren’t left at the bottom of the bowl.

4. In a separate small bowl, beat the eggs very well.

5. Add beaten eggs, salt and vanilla to the milk mixture. Best very well for 3-5 minutes.

6. Pour mixture into greased pan. If you want a very smooth textured custard – pour through a fine sieve or thin cloth (like cheese cloth).

7. After water boils, pour it into a large baking pan (the smaller pan you’re using for the custard should be able to sit inside comfortably). Place a dishtowel or washcloth in the bottom of the large pan for the smaller pan to sit upon.

9. Carefully place the smaller pan (the one with the custard in it) into the larger pan. Lightly sprinkle the custard with nutmeg.

10. Very carefully put this whole contraption into the oven – it is very important to keep the hot water in the pan – not on you, in the oven or in the custard. Bake on low or medium-low heat for about 60 minutes. When the custard is done, a knife will come out clean.

11. Cool to set. Serve cool or cold. If not eating relatively soon, store custard covered in the refrigerator – don’t store more than a two or three days.

               

Notes: This Simple Custard is very simple to make – only about 10 min of work, the rest of the time is baking time. You can enjoy this recipe plain, or topped with fresh fruit, ice cream, jam or a flavored sauce.

 

Variations: To make a flan style custard, as your first step heat â…“ c sugar to a boil over low heat – stirring constantly. Caramelize the sugar (until it is amber colored). Remove from heat (make sure lumps are gone) and quickly pour into your greased baking pan. Tilt the pan in all directions to spread the syrup across the whole bottom. When sugar has set – set pan aside and continue recipe as written. For flavored custards, you can use a flavored liquor or flavoring other than vanilla. You could also add cinnamon, bee pollen (easy to find in Romania), or another spices to the custard before baking.

Substitutions: ¼ c Honey/½ c Sugar. Nutmeg/Cinnamon.