Lighter Crème Fraiche Recipes

Steps:

• Combine cream and buttermilk in a glass jar. Cover tightly with cheesecloth (or any breathable material) and let sit at room temperature (70 to 75 degrees F (21 to 24 degrees C)) for 24 hours. Stir, screw on lid, and refrigerate for 24 hours before using.

Steps:

• Stir 2 tbsp of the sugar, the custard powder and cornflour in a medium bowl with 2 tbsp of the milk to make a smooth paste. Beat in the egg yolks with a fork until well combined. Pour the remaining milk into a pan, preferably non-stick, then pour in the cream. Slit the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape the seeds into the milk. Drop the pod into the pan and bring the creamy milk just to the boil - as soon as you see a few bubbles rising to the surface, remove from the heat.
• Slowly pour and stir the hot milk into the cornflour mix, including the vanilla pod, making sure the yolks are well blended in. Transfer to a clean pan. Cook over a low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, for about 15-20 mins until the mixture is very thick - when you drag the spoon across the bottom of the pan, it should leave a clean line. It should be much thicker after about 10 mins, but keep stirring until the mixture has thickened sufficiently to look like softly whipped cream or mayonnaise. Keep adjusting the heat so that the mixture does not come to the boil or overheat, as it may curdle and become lumpy. If this happens, beat the mixture smooth with a wire whisk.
• Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl and leave to cool for 15-20 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. Remove the vanilla pod. Stir in the crème fraîche and divide the mixture between 4 small ramekins (about 125-150ml capacity each). Spread the mixtures level, then chill, uncovered, overnight. By not covering them, a thin skin can form on top of the brûlées, which will help support the caramel layer.
• Before serving, spoon the remaining sugar over the top of each brûlée (allow 1½ tsp per ramekin) and smooth over with the back of the spoon. To caramelise, use a blowtorch. Hold the flame just above the sugar and keep it moving until evenly caramelised (don't take too long or you will heat up the custard too much). If the custard looks as though it has softened slightly, put the ramekins in the fridge for 5-10 mins to firm it up again. Serve while the caramel is still brittle.

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, deep sauté pan. Tip in the prosciutto and fry for 2 mins until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, letting any excess oil drain back into the pan. Set aside. Add the rest of the oil and fry the leeks, garlic, thyme and bay for 2-3 mins until the leeks are starting to soften but keeping their colour. Add the potatoes and fry for 2 mins, turning occasionally. Pour in the stock with an extra 100ml boiling water and gently press the potatoes down so that they are just covered. Bring to the boil. Boil quite vigorously, uncovered, over a high heat for 10 mins until the potatoes are almost cooked. The liquid should have thickened very slightly. Scatter in the chilli flakes, some pepper and a pinch of salt.
• Lower the heat to medium and lay the whole fish fillets on top of the potatoes. Season the fish with pepper and gently press down into the broth so that the fillets are only just submerged. Cover and simmer for about 5 mins or until the fish is almost cooked (timing will depend on the thickness of the fillets). Remove from the heat and sit for another 5-10 mins, so that the fish can gently finish cooking. Remove the thyme and bay leaves. Still off the heat, spoon in the crème fraîche and gently swirl around in the broth until it looks creamy.
• To serve, gently and briefly reheat. Divide the potatoes and fish (let the fish break into large pieces as you lift it out of the pan) into wide, shallow bowls. Spoon the broth around and scatter with chives, a few thyme leaves and the crisp prosciutto.

Steps:

• Mix together buttermilk and heavy cream. Let sit at room temperature for six to eight hours.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Combine the first 4 ingredients.
• Swirl in jam.
• Serve with muffins, scones or crumpets.

Steps:

• Combine condensed milk, liqueur, cream, and eggs in a blender, and whip until smooth. Serve over ice, if desired.