Creme Anglaise Recipe
Overview:
Creme Anglaise, a classic dessert sauce, elevates any sweet treat to gourmet status with its rich, creamy texture and delicate flavor. Though it requires attention to detail, crafting this sauce is a rewarding culinary endeavor that will impress your guests and tantalize their taste buds. Whether drizzled over a decadent chocolate chiffon cake, paired with Apple Charlottes, or simply served with your favorite dessert, this versatile sauce adds a touch of elegance to any dish.
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Servings: Approximately 1 1/2 cups
- Keywords: Dessert, < 60 Mins, Easy
Ingredients:
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 13 ounces milk
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Yolk Mixture:
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, brown sugar, and salt until creamy. Set aside.
-
Prepare the Milk Mixture:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, pour the milk.
- Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the milk.
- Heat the milk until it is scalded, taking care not to let it boil.
-
Temper the Yolks:
- Create a makeshift double boiler by placing a wet towel in a ring shape on your work surface.
- Fill a pan with 2 inches of water and place it on the stove to heat to a boil.
- Position the bowl with the yolk mixture in the ring on the towel to hold it in place.
- Slowly ladle a small amount of hot milk into the yolks, whisking constantly.
- Continue adding the hot milk gradually, whisking continuously, until all the milk is incorporated.
- This gradual process, known as tempering, prevents the yolks from scrambling and ensures a smooth custard texture.
-
Thicken the Custard:
- Once all the milk is added, place the bowl over the pan of boiling water.
- Stir the mixture constantly with a wooden spoon until the custard begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon.
- Be vigilant and do not allow the custard to boil, as this could cause it to curdle.
-
Cool and Strain:
- Remove the custard from the heat immediately and transfer it to an ice bath to cool quickly.
- Once cooled, strain the custard through a fine mesh strainer to remove any lumps or impurities.
- Refrigerate the strained custard until ready to use. It will keep for about a week in the refrigerator.
Variations:
-
Chocolate Creme Anglais:
- Mix 1/4 cup warm chocolate sauce into the cooled sauce for a decadent chocolate twist.
-
Cinnamon Creme Anglais:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 stick of cinnamon to the milk before scalding to infuse the sauce with warm, aromatic spice.
-
Rum Creme Anglais:
- Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons dark rum to the cooled sauce, imparting a subtle boozy flavor that complements a variety of desserts.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 403.7
- Total Fat: 24.7g
- Saturated Fat: 11.4g
- Cholesterol: 736.3mg
- Sodium: 265.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 27.8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 13.6g
- Protein: 17.7g
Indulge in the luxurious simplicity of Creme Anglaise, a timeless dessert sauce that adds a touch of sophistication to any sweet creation. Master the art of tempering eggs and enjoy the creamy perfection of this French delicacy. Whether served alongside a slice of cake or poured over a scoop of ice cream, this versatile sauce is sure to delight your taste buds and leave a lasting impression on your guests.