salted caramel flan

This isn’t authentic Flan, because authentic Flan contains sweetened condensed milk. This version is lighter, not as sweet- but just as tasty. It’s a gringo version. Make that an accidental gringo version. I was going to do a strawberry-swirled baked custard, but I was out of jam. (whoops.) So I put some brown sugar and butter together….then I thought: “Ooo, salted caramel is popular now…”

And… I came up with a tasty-buttery-salty-caramel base.

Don’t you love it when inventions turn out decent?

Otherwise, this would have been a kitchen failure post. But, those are fun, too. 😉

It’s been awhile so it’s time for household news:- wait- do you guys even like household news? I need feedback. Otherwise, I’ll keep rambling and possibly bore you to sleep, then that won’t be good; especially if you’re at work… and the boss-man (or woman) is not a fan of blog reading at work. Especially if it makes you drowsy.

Okay, if you get busted reading a cooking blog at work this is what I would do:

Say: “I was thinking of baking _____________ for a customer appreciation day! Won’t that be nice? I was simply looking for a recipe that would serve all of our clients/customers/patients”

That might work. Unless your boss reads this particular blog. Then you’re screwed.

Oh my. I’m creating an event in my head that will never happen. Do you do that? I do it a lot while I’m driving over overpasses and bridges. I imagine cars driving off them- you know like in an action movie. Ugh. I’m scared of heights, by the way.

Household news!! (I’m doing this because I only have two pictures for this post.)

I’m teaching my first cooking class tomorrow. I’m hoping I don’t accidentally swear or burn anything. Of course, if I burn something… I may swear. I just gotta keep it in my head.

I got my first chefs coat, too.

It’s white and looks like a lab coat, kind of.

My youngest and I camped again over the weekend… but, I got no pictures because my camera battery charger was broken. But, I have pictures in my head. Maybe I will draw them…. and make a post. You guys may like that.

My stepdaughter has lost two teeth. And made five bucks.

My husband went fishing and caught tuna….

My mom is still fighting her lymphoma. But, it hasn’t progressed much more, so I am very thankful for that.

And, finally… my dad is still golfing. In his outfits. You know, the old school golf outfits that resemble what a jockey wears?

That’s about it.

For the flan, you’ll have to bake it in ramekins in a casserole dish that has about a half inch of water. I didn’t fill this one yet…

Before you fill the ramekins, place 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of butter in it.

salted caramel flan

Prep time: 30 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 55 mins

Serves: 12

Ingredients

3 cups milk
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 tablespoons dark brown sugar* set aside
12 teaspoons butter*set aside
salt

Instructions

Butter 12 ramekins and set aside in a casserole dish.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, heat the milk until small bubbles begin to rise to the surface.
Remove from heat.
In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla and salt.
Slowly add the hot milk, stirring constantly.
In needed, pour over a fine meshed sieve to remove any lumps.
Place 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar and 1 teaspoon butter , and a dash of salt.(1/4 teaspoon) into the bottom of each ramekin.
Fill each with the custard.
Fill the baking pan with 1/2 inch of water
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.