Catalan cream

Serves : 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time : 8 to 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 l (4 cups) milk
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp.) bitter almond essence
• 1 lemon, zest
• 3 ml (1/2 tsp.) ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 8 eggs, yolks
• 190 ml (3/4 cup) sugar
• 60 ml (4 tbsp.) cornstarch
• Qs sugar for caramelization

Preparation

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk, bitter almond essence, zest, cinnamon and pinch of salt.
2. Meanwhile, whisk the yolks in a bowl. Add the sugar and cornflour.
3. While whisking, stir the hot milk into the prepared mixture.
4. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
5. Spoon the mixture into ramekins and chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
6. Cover with sugar and, using a blowtorch, caramelize the top of each cream.