Saturday, November 16, 2013

thanksgiving pumpkin (something)

I knew I wanted something pumpkin-based for Thanksgiving, but I also knew I didn't really want pie. Something lighter always seems like a good idea after such a heavy meal, but I wasn't sure what direction to go in. My plan is to try out the Pumpkin Flan recipe below. I love flan. And I'm a pretty big fan of pumpkins. So combining the two seems like a winner to me.

Ingredients:

Flan Caramel:
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup pure cane sugar, preferably organic

Pumpkin Custard Filling:
1 cup half-and-half 
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup pure cane sugar, preferably organic
1 cup solid pack pumpkin (not sweetened canned pumpkin pie mix)
6 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350° F

Have ready a 9-inch round deep dish pie plate and a shallow roasting pan that the pie plate fits in.

Combine water and 3/4 cup sugar in a small heavy saucepan. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, tilt pan several times but don't stir. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until mixture turns a medium amber color. Watch closely to prevent burning. Immediately pour the hot mixture into pie plate and carefully tilt the plate to evenly coat the bottom of the plate before the sugar hardens. Set aside.

Combine half-and-half, heavy cream and 3/4 cup cane sugar in a heavy saucepan. Heat on medium until warm and sugar dissolves.

Combine pumpkin, eggs, spices, vanilla and salt in a large mixing bowl. Beat on high until blended.

Slowly drizzle warm cream mixture into pumpkin mixture, whisking until smooth and combined.

Pour pumpkin mixture over the hardened caramelized sugar in pie plate. Place pie plate in roasting pan and add about 1 1/2 inches of boiling water to roasting pan. Carefully place pan in preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes or just until custard sets.

Cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Use a knife to loosen flan from sides of pie plate. Invert on a plate to serve. Can be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.

Recipe courtesy of About.com

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