SFH #12 Custard's Second Stand

Peaches and Creme Brulee with Candied Ginger

Well, I think I am officially late. It's after midnight and I am pretty sure this is the 3rd or so time I have begun this post over the last couple days. I finally got a digital camera and I am so stoked! However, between moving, work, and K leaving for a conference it just hasn't happened.
When I first found out the theme for this month's Sugar High Friday I didn't know what I would do. Custard, there were a few things that seemed an obvious choice. Obvious, blah. But then I reminded myself of the embarassing little secret that I <> had never actually made creme brulee before <> . It's a classic dessert but as afore mentioned my previous dislike of custards and caused me to run, tail between my legs. Then there was the ugly episode with the "Creme Brulee Tart". The too-eggy, runny mess, half of which ended up leaking onto the bottom of the oven didn't help me cozy up to the idea. So I decided to go with the obvious. After all, shouldn't this really be about personal development rather than the newest idea? Aren't the classics just that for a reason? I decided to strike a balance. I decided on something I can't claim as my own idea, but a fresh idea none-the-less.
This time it would work. My custard would set. It would be thick and creamy and wonderful! So here was the journey.

Peaches, I certainly can't stick them in the oven for 40 minutes and expect them to emerge unscathed. So, I made the custard in the traditional manner. I cooked it on the stove till it was nice and thick, then placed ramekins into a water bath and tucked them away in the oven. They came out perfectly. The hard part was being patient. I had to wait for them to cool. Then I had to ruin the perfectly flat surface to scoop the lucious creme into the hollowed out peach. Then I got to play with FIRE!! Oh, and Sugar in the Raw.
MMMMmmm, they are creamy and delicious and not-too-heavy and refreshingly fruity. Turns out that being not entirely original can be a very good thing.