Chive Talkin'
Littlest Onion Cousin Adds Delicate Touch of Spring
This delicate savory custard has a silky texture and the merest hint of garlic, enhanced by chive blossoms. Combined with a green salad, the individual custards make an unusual first course, but they also make a special side dish for a beef or pork roast.
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 8 Serving(s)
- 4 green garlic stalks
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
- 2 whole eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
- 24 chive stems, trimmed to 2 to 3 inches, the upper part only 1 to 2 chive blossom heads, separated into individual flowers
Instructions
Cut off the garlic stalks and discard. Peel off the tough outer skin of the garlic heads and quarter the heads.In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Be careful to not let it boil. When the cream is steaming hot, add the green garlic, salt, pepper and thyme and immediately remove the pan from the heat. Let stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse the cream. Taste the cream. If a stronger garlic flavor is desired, let stand for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 325o F. Fill a teakettle (or a pot if you do not have a teakettle) with water and bring to a boil.
In a small bowl or spouted measuring cup, lightly whisk the whole eggs and egg yolk just until blended. Pour about 1⁄4 cup of the egg mixture into the warm cream mixture while whisking constantly. Add the remaining egg mixture, whisking constantly until well mixed.
Using a chinois or a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, strain the custard into a spouted measuring cup or pitcher. Divide the custard evenly among 8 (3-ounce) ramekins.
Remove the teakettle (or pot) from the heat. Place the ramekins in a large baking dish and pour the boiling water into the dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake until a knife inserted into the middle of a flan comes out clean, about 30 minutes. The flans will be lightly browned on top. Remove the baking dish from the oven and then remove the ramekins from the water bath. Let cool to room temperature.
The flans can be served at this point, or the ramekins can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature before serving.
To Serve
Run a thin-bladed knife along the inside of a ramekin to loosen the custard. Invert a plate over the ramekin and, holding the plate and ramekin firmly together, turn them over so the flan drops onto the plate. Lift off the ramekin (the flan will be browned side down). Repeat with the remaining ramekins. Garnish each with 3 chive stems and a sprinkle of chive flowers.
From the Davis Farmers Market Cookbook by Georgeanne Brennan and Ann M. Evans (Mirabelle Press, 2012)
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