HONEY CREME CARAMELS

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Place 6 ovenproof ramekins (200ml capacity) into a large baking dish.
2. Place honey into a medium heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until deep golden.
3. Carefully pour honey into prepared ramekins. Swirl honey to coat bases and sides of ramekins, then return to baking dish.
4. Combine cream, milk and vanilla bean in a saucepan. Cook over a low-medium heat until mixture almost boils. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Whisk eggs, yolks and extra honey in a large heat-proof bowl. Gradually whisk in warm cream mixture until combined. Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a large jug. Pour evenly into each prepared ramekin.
6. Pour enough boiling water into baking dish to come halfway up the sides of ramekins (see Tip). Bake for 35-40 minutes or until just set (they should still have a slight wobble). Remove from water bath and allow to cool for approx. 30 minutes. Once cooled, place into refrigerator overnight.
7. Carefully run a knife around edge of each crème caramel and turn out onto plates to serve.

Thermomix method:

1. Set aside a large baking dish and 6 ovenproof ramekins (200 ml capacity; ensure all ramekins fit comfortably in baking dish).
2. Place honey into mixing bowl and cook 30 min/Varoma/speed 1, without measuring cup, until dark golden.
3. Carefully pour honey into prepared ramekins. Swirl honey to coat bases and sides of ramekins, then place into baking dish.
4. Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan).
5. Without cleaning mixing bowl, place cream, milk, vanilla bean and seeds into mixing bowl and heat 4 min/80°C/speed 1.
6. Transfer into a jug and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove and discard vanilla bean pod. Clean and dry mixing bowl.
7. Place eggs, egg yolks and 2 tablespoons extra honey into mixing bowl and mix 10 sec/speed 3, then mix 30 sec/speed 3, slowly pouring warm milk mixture through hole in mixing bowl lid.
8. Pour mixture evenly between prepared ramekins (see Tip). Follow steps 6 and 7 above.