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1
Preheat oven to 300.
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2
Have ready a flame-proof 1 quart shallow baking dish and a roasting pan that can accomodate the baking dish.
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3
Boil a kettle of water for the water bath.
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4
Heat the cream and half and half in a saucepan over medium heat until hot.
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5
Remove from heat.
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6
Whisk yolks, 1/2 cup of sugar and salt in a medium bowl.
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7
Showly add the cream mixture, whisking constantly until smooth and well blended.
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8
Add vanilla.
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9
Pour the mix through a fine strainer that's set over a bowl.
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10
This will catch any tiny chunks not blended.
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11
Pour the custard into the baking dish and skim any foam from the top.
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12
Transfer to the roasting pan, place in the oven and pour enough boiling water into pan to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
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13
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the custard is set around edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
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14
CAREFUL not to over bake - the custard will set further as it cools.
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15
Remove baking dish from the water bath and let cool completly on a wire rack.
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16
Refrigerat the creme brulee, loosely covered with plastic wrap at least 4 hours or for a full 24 hours it must be thoroughly chilled and set .
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17
After the refrigeration time, preheat the broiler.
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18
Have the reoasting pan ready.
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19
and fill a bowl with ice water.
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20
Gently blot the surface of the custard with a paper towel to remove any condensation.
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21
Sift the remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the custard.
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22
Place the baking dish in the roasting pan and carefully pour enough ice water into the pan to halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
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23
THIS IS WHERE YOU DO NOT MOVE FROM THE STOVE.
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24
Broil custard about 3 inches from heat for 2 - 3 minutes until sugar has melted and turned dark gold in color.
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25
Slowly rotate the dish so the sugar caramelizes evenly.
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26
Remove from broiler and cool the custard in the ice water for 5 minutes.
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27
Remove the baking dish from the baking pan.
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28
Serve immediately or refrigerate uncovered no more than 1 hour or the topping will be soggy.