What constitutes a recipe? This column is always pushing the limits of cooking vs preparing, but that’s exactly why it’s not laid out as a recipe on our website.
Adam Liaw submitted this flan-tastic recipe for The Cook Up’s comfort desserts episode and it’s so simple you wouldn’t be wrong to excuse it for a social media 'hack' video. The recipe for flan (also known as crème caramel) is made up of two tins of milk, eggs, sugar, and that’s it.
To prepare it all you do is brown the sugar, mix the rest of the ingredients together, steam, chill, then serve. The result is a firm-yet-smooth set custard dessert. In true home-style, Adam says his mum used to serve the flan scooped straight from its pan without even turning it out.
There are two things to watch when making this recipe: don’t burn the caramel and make sure you take the flan out before it's fully set or it’ll be overcooked and rubbery.
I made this recipe steamed but if you don't have a steamer big enough you can bake it using the instructions in .
How to make Adam Liaw’s flan
You could also add a dash of vanilla if you so please. Source: Camellia Aebischer
Take ½ cup sugar and place into a small pan over medium heat. Swirl but do not stir the pan until the sugar is nice and caramelised. Pour briskly into a cake tin (not springform or it’ll leak) and let set in an even layer on the bottom.
While that sets, take 1 x 375 ml can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 x 395 g can of evaporated milk and 5 eggs. Whisk together til combined then pour through a sieve straight into the caramel-lined cake tin.
Steam over low heat for 20-25 minutes until just set (the centre should still be wobbly). Cool to touch then place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to cool completely. Turn out onto a plate to serve.
Love the story? Follow the author here: Instagram .
The texture is firm and will hold up in transit but still gently melts on the tongue when eaten. Source: Camellia Aebischer
