Book 2: Wild Sugar Desserts - Skye Craig and Lyndel Miller

I really wasn't sure how I was going to pick the order I was going to go in when it came to my recipe books.  Originally I was thinking of going from one side of the bookshelf to the other.  But when I thought about it, I realised I haven't organised my cookbooks alphabetically, I organised them sweet, sweet/savoury and savoury, then based on height (seemed like a good idea at the time).  Also, I haven't included my cake decorating books, based mainly on laziness but also partly because they aren't proper recipes! (Because I am the recipe judge, well at least on here!).  So anyway, I counted how many books I had (193) then put that number in a random number draw website.  That came up with book 36, otherwise know as Wild Sugar...  

(if I'm being totally honest it came up with 190 first, but that was a Weight Watchers book and not half as interesting as 36, so I redrew..)   :)

Recipe:  Creme Brulee, to end all Creme Brulees   pg 148

4 egg yolks
80g Caster Sugar
300ml Cream
300ml thickened cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
30g pure icing sugar  (I've only ever used caster sugar so this makes me a tad nervous!)

Preheat oven 160c
   Place 6 x 125ml ramekins in a baking dish, fill the baking dish with boiling water, three-quarters of the way up the sides of the ramekins.
   In a mixing bowl, cream the egg yolks and sugar.  Set aside.
   In a medium, heavy-based saucepan, whisk creams together and add vanilla.  On heat bring to just under the boil, where little bubbles start to surface.
   Take off the heat, pour a small amount of the cream into the egg mixture, and whisk well then add the rest of the cream slowly while still whisking.
   Return the mixture to the stove, over low heat and mix continuously with a wooden spoon.
   To test if the creme is ready, dip your spoon into the mixture and run your finger over the back of the spoon, making a clean wipe.  If the custard runs over it requires more time.  If it remains in place and doesn't run over your wipe, it is ready.
   Divide into the six prepared ramekins and place on the middle shelf of your oven.  Transfer the mixture immediately to the oven so you don't end up with scrambled eggs for desert.
  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  It is ready when it feels just set in the middle of the brulee.
  Carefully remove from the oven and baking tray and leave to cool to room temperature; this should take about 30 minutes.
   Then place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
   To serve, sprinkle each brulee with icing sugar.  It is best to use a shaker or fine sieve here to avoid lumps of sugar and give an even covering.
   Use a blowtorch to caramelise the top.



This is one of my more recent recipe book purchases and it is a beautiful book.  The cover, the photos and the way it has been set out are all lovely, it even has a pretty pink ribbon to mark your page with.  It's also an Australian book so you can pick it up quite cheaply at Target...

The problem I have with this book is that even though the recipes look and sound delicious ( Spicy Pear Love Cake and Chili Chocolate Mouse)  the recipes themselves don't seem to work.  I followed the recipes to the letter and yet the first thing I made (the Love cake) the polenta was still crunchy and ruined the whole thing!  Now the Creme Brulee didn't set and the caramel on top burnt straight away!  The recipes also tend to waffle (No, I didn't write it), I have culled a hell of a lot of the above method simply because it didn't need to be in there. 

Don't get me wrong the Creme Brulee is delicious!  But double the cooking time in the oven and use caster sugar for the caramel (it takes longer to melt but doesn't burn as quickly)!  The great thing about Creme Brulee is you get to use a blowtorch,  I personally think these are one of the best kitchen gadgets you can have, you may not use it that much but when you do its brilliant fun!  Just take it from me, you shouldn't use it to light birthday candles and don't wave it around while you're talking (your guests hair will thank you!)

Kate  :)
xx

Note: You know how I said you may not use your blowtorch very much??  Today I used it to light the fire, I couldn't find any match's and thought it might do the job, best fire lighting EVER!!!  Blowtorch's are such fun.  Excuse me I'm off to burn things.... I mean, cook things :)