Flan

We Indians know it by Caramel Custard. I like custard, especially the one with lots of fruits in it, though I'm not a fan of the eggy custard. Ok, let's face it, if we go to any restaurant in India, this dessert is seen ordered left and right. Though I myself have ordered it only a handful of times, I wasn't really motivated to try making it, until now...
Another thing... Caramel... Not a very simple thing. I mean, its simple but the process...You have to be very careful that you dont end up with really bitter and burnt sugar instead of caramel!!

Ingredients:

250gm sugar

50ml water

3 egg yolks
3 eggs
120gm sugar
2tsp vanilla

380ml milk

                                                       380ml half and half (or cream & milk mixed)
Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degree C.
2. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar, then swirl the pan until sugar is dissolved. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat until thick and large bubbles form. Then uncover the pan and continue to cook until it becomes a rich brown colour.
3. Pour into the bottom of the mould. Rotate to cover the bottom of the pan and up the sides a little.
4. Whisk eggs, egg yolks, sugar until well blended. Heat vanilla, milk and half and half until hot to touch. Do not boil. Slowly add to the egg mixture.
5. Pour the custard into the prepared mould. Place mould in a baking pan. Boil water and pour in the pan so its halfway up the sides of the mold.
6. Bake for 20-30 mins. Insert a kinfe and if it comes out clean its done.
7. Cool completely, then chill in a refrigerator.
8. Invert over a platter with sides to catch the caramel sauce.

Enjoy!!

Chocolate Chip Cake

I wasn't sure whether this cake would be tasty enough, because of the cream cheese used. But it turns out quite good. Heavy but good... Can't have more than one slice though. :)

Ingredients:
1 8oz pack (228gms) cream cheese
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 tbsp butter milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
confectioner's sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degree C. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf tin.
2. Beat chesse, butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs, buttermilk & vanilla. Sift in flour and baking powder and fold in along with chocolate chips.
4. Spoon into pan and bake for 1 hr.
5. Serve dusted with confec. sugar.