Original Mexican Flan Napolitano Recipes

Steps:

• Place sugar into a 9-inch ring mold and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and turns golden, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully for syrup to start to change color as it burns easily. Let caramel cool and harden, about 20 minutes.
• Combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, cream cheese, and vanilla extract in a blender; blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour mixture over the hard caramel syrup in the tin and cover with aluminum foil. Pierce foil in the center hole of the ring with a knife; peel back foil, leaving hole uncovered for steam to circulate.
• Place a metal rack inside a large pot over medium heat. Add water to almost reach the rack; bring to a boil. Place the mold on the rack, cover the pot, and steam until flan is set and firm, about 45 minutes. Unmold flan onto a serving plate and let cool before serving.

Steps:

• For the caramel:.
• Combine 1 cup sugar with the 2 tablespoons of water in a saucepan and place over medium-high heat. When the sugar begins to melt, swirl the pan over the heat about 10 minutes, watching for it to darken to a honey-amber color. Remove from heat and immediately pour into a flan mold, tilting it so the caramel coats up the sides and the bottom evenly. Place the mold in a large roasting pan and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil and keep it hot. You'll use this for a water bath.
• Thoroughly combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream cheese, and vanilla in a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Add the cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, but don't allow it to come to a full boil. Remove from heat.
• Cream together the eggs, yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously until thick and pale yellow in color. Remove the cinnamon stick from the hot cream mixture. Gradually whisk the cream into the egg mixture, but be careful not to add it too quickly as the eggs will cook. Pour the custard into the caramel-coated flan mold.
• Carefully pour the hot water from the kettle into the roasting pan so that it's about halfway up the mold's side. Transfer to the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, though it may take longer depending on the oven. If you notice during this time that the surface is starting to turn golden-brown but it's not fully cooked yet, cover it with foil so it doesn't burn. You may also periodically insert a knife in the center of the flan to check it's consistency. If the knife comes out clean, it's done. When the custard is just set and slightly jiggles, it's time to take it out.
• Let it cool in the water bath. Refrigerate fo a minimum of 4 hours.
• To serve, run a knife around the inside of the mold to loosen the flan. Place a serving plate over the mold and invert it to pop the flan out.

Steps:

• Caramel.
• Put the sugar and water in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and cook until golden.
• Pour into an 18cm sandwich pan or 6 individual moulds (coated lightly with oil). Rotate the pan or moulds until the caramel coats the sides and base. Set aside.
• Heat the evaporated milk and fresh milk with the split vanilla pod - but don't boil. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Beat the eggs and sugar together until blended. Pour the egg/sugar mix slowly into the milk, stirring constantly.
• Remove the vanilla pod and pour the filling into the caramel lined pan or moulds.
• Put the custard into a baking dish with hot water to come halfway up the sides.
• Bake in a moderately warm oven 160C (325F) for 25 minutes (individual moulds) or 45 minutes (pan) - or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• Cool, then chill for a few hours or overnight.
• Unmould on to a serving dish or individual plates. Serve with pouring cream.