Flan Fan

Although I like a good flan, it has never been my favorite dessert.  But wait!  Who said that flans have to be desserts?  This pumpkin flan is an easy side dish with just a hint of sweetness.  I do believe that this will become a favorite in our house!

(Note:  As always, Green text are Olivelle recipes that I will share. Green text within a recipe are ingredients that can be purchased from Olivelle locally or on the website http://www.olivelle.com/ )

Pumpkin Flan
(Chef Claudia Galofre-Krevat)

3 Cups Pumpkin Puree (home-made or canned)

1 Large Egg

3 Large Egg Whites

1 Cup Half and Half or Evaporated Milk

1/2 tsp Vanilla Bean Sea Salt

1 1/2 tsp Sugar and Spice Dipper

4-6 Tbsp Avocado Oil

Garnish:

1/2 Cup Mexican Crema or Creme Fraiche

2 Tbsp Sugar and Spice Dipper

Pine Nuts (or Roasted, shelled pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans)

1. Preheat oven to 325 Degrees

2. Lightly coat 8 4oz ramekins with the Avocado Oil

3. Place pumpkin, eggs, milk, Vanilla Bean Sea Salt, and Sugar and Spice Dipper in blender and process until all ingredients are incorporated.

4. Pour into ramekins (the flan will rise minimally, so you will be able to fill them almost full)

5. Place ramekins in a Pyrex type baking dish and add water to the dish (around the ramekins) until the water is about 1" deep.

6. Bake for 25 -45 minutes until firm to the touch or when a knife, inserted into a flan comes out fairly clean.

7. Remove from oven, but keep in the water until ready to serve.
8. Serve in the cups or gently run a knife around the edge of the ramekin and turn out onto a plate.
9. Mix Crema and Sugar and Spice Dipper
10. Top each flan with a dollop of Crema and sprinkle with Pine Nuts.

Make your own pumpkin puree for your Flan... refer to my blog post "Pie in the Face" from October 31, 2011!
http://www.adrizzleofoilapinchofsalt.com/2011/10/pie-in-face.html

This would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner table or just a nice touch or elegance to a dinner for two!

I hope that I have made a few Flan Fans!