A flan is a traditional Mexican dessert, which is an open pie. This sweet dish resembles to a quiche and a custard tart. It is expensive and classy custard in which rich and good quality ingredients are used. Its base is same of the short crust pastry. In savory type of flan, the filling is not custard based generally. In the Middle Age, the savory flans in Britain have been arrived from the Spanish flans, which are sweet to taste, but in Britain, it is not sweet in taste. It is an elegant and rich dessert, which can be served in any parties or occasion. Flan recipe are not easy to make. It is not simple as pudding or jello. Flan is a unique recipe that needs time, effort and precision in preparing the dessert. This sweet dish has many versions and it is prized for its simplicity.

ORIGIN OF FLAN RECIPE

Flan was originated in France. The word is actually derived from the Latin word “Flado” which is a flat cake. In old French, it came to be known as “floan”. It is relished globally, especially in Latin Americans countries, United States, Philippines, European countries as well as Japan. The Japanese prepared these recipes by using soya milk instead cow milk, which is not consumed by the locals. It was popular even in ancient Rome. It was during those times they developed new recipes, which turned out to be a custardly concoction known as flan. Originally, it is a savory dish which is aromatic and pleasing to the palate. The Romans invented some interesting variants such as the Eel Flan and Sweet Honey Flavored Flan. The flan recipe survived the evolution of the Roman Empire from ancient to medieval period. Flan evolved as a sweet dish but the basic recipe remained the same of mixing cream eggs and milk to form custard. Interestingly in Spain, it is generally made with caramelized sugar. Besides the Roman, the Moors introduced citrus and almonds, which were mostly used to flavor these dishes. It is believed that Christopher Columbus introduced flan to America. Mostly, it is relished in various custard forms in and around central and south America. It can be associated with the Mexicans as it is prepared in the kitchen of rich and the poor. The English invented a new flan recipe according to their preference. As they are fond of pastry crust, they started serving it in pastry shell with an open top filled with custard and mixed with nuts or fresh fruits, somewhat like our very own ‘tarts’. There is some dispute about the pronunciation of the word “flan”. The English pronounce it as it is spelt whereas the Mexican and the Spanish style of pronunciation is “faun”, where the letter ‘L’ is silent.

INGREDIENTS AND METHOD OF PREPARING FLAN

The basic ingredients of flan recipe are sugar, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla. For preparing, initially the oven maybe preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Six ramekins or other specialty flan cookware and a large baking pan maybe needed so that to put them in. 1-cup sugar maybe poured in warm pan over medium heat. The sugar maybe stirred constantly until it turns brown in color and becomes caramel. Approximately 2-3 tablespoons of caramel maybe poured quickly in each ramekin and the caramel maybe tilted to swirl around all sides. The caramel maybe reheated if it starts to harden. The eggs maybe blended in a mixer or with a whisk. The eggs are mixed with milk and the sugar vanilla is also mixed slowly to the flan recipe. After each ingredient maybe added then it is mixed smoothly. Now custard maybe poured into caramel lined ramekins. The ramekins maybe placed in a large glass or ceramic baking dish and maybe filled with about 1-2 inches of hot water. In the water bath, it is baked for about 45 minutes and maybe checked with a knife just to the side of the centre. It becomes ready when the knife comes out clean. It is then removed and allowed it cool. Each ramekin maybe cooled in refrigerator for 1 hour. Each ramekin maybe inverted onto a small plate and the caramel sauce maybe poured and flow over the custard.

VARIETIES OF FLAN RECIPE

There are various kinds of flan such as savory, sweet, Spanish and English. Each recipe has many classifications and has unique taste. Tyropatinam is a dessert which is famous today itself. Basically, flans are famous in Spain and are loved by the Spanish people. Coffee flan is a Spanish dessert, which is known as flan de café. Cheese flans have some of the flavors and essence of cheesecake. Asparagus flans are an example of a savory flan, which is very fine in texture. English Spinach Flans is different from the English and Spanish method of preparing. English custard flans have a unique crust but contain some of the elements of Spanish flan. Chocolate Flan is the ultimate cultural one in which real Mexico chocolate is used. These are various varieties of flans.

SERVING FLANS

A flan recipe can be served hot or cold. It maybe served as sweets or dessert. The sweet dish maybe served in glass, Pyrex, porcelain, stainless steel and even in a non-stick Teflon but it should be avoided. It may be served with cheese, almond, pumpkin, coffee, chocolate, pineapple, coconut, etc. it should be turned over the plate as soon as the inside of the dish is smooth and comes out the pan easily, this indicates that the dessert is cooked and is ready for serving. Some of these recipes is served with a lid and a Bain Marie which is a water bath used in the cooking process that allows flan to be cooked on the stovetop. Flans may be served in all kinds of parties and occasion.

SOME HEALTH FACTS OF FLAN RECIPE

Flan is a recipe, which is healthy as well as unhealthy for everyone. It contains very little nutritional values such as proteins and fats. The fats, which may be consumed is unnecessary calories. Flan is a dish containing empty calories that may not be good for health. It may lead to obesity. People suffering from heart disorders, hypertension, and diabetes should avoid consuming it. Flan maybe consumed occasionally and in limited quantity.