Crema Reggina with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 cups (946ml) whole milk 4 cups (946ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for caramelizing) 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for caramelizing)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 65g, 50g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to steam. Do not let it boil.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt. Add the egg yolks and whisk until smooth and creamy.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
4. 4.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
5. 5.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the lemon zest and orange blossom water.
6. 6.
   Pour the custard into individual serving dishes or ramekins and let them cool to room temperature.
7. 7.
   Once cooled, refrigerate the custards for at least 2 hours, or until set.
8. 8.
   Just before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and bubbly.
9. 9.
   Allow the caramelized sugar to harden for a minute before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemon zest — Make sure to use organic lemons and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any pesticide residue.
• Orange blossom water — Use a high-quality orange blossom water to ensure a delicate and fragrant flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a stronger citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the custard mixture.
• To achieve a smooth custard, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring it into the serving dishes.
• If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can caramelize the sugar under a broiler for a few minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
• Serve the Crema Reggina chilled for the best taste and texture.
• Garnish each serving with a sprig of fresh mint for an extra touch of freshness.

Serving advice

Serve the Crema Reggina with a Twist chilled in individual serving dishes or ramekins. It can be enjoyed on its own or accompanied by a crisp biscotti or a delicate shortbread cookie.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar over the caramelized sugar topping just before serving. This will add an elegant touch and create a beautiful contrast of colors.