Desserts/ Dips/ Recipe

Vanilla Bean Pot de Creme

I’m alone tonight.
 
John is in Vancouver for work and I’m chillin’ like a villain with my bottle of wine and a movie. 
 
I don’t talk too much about my relationship here. It isn’t food and this is a food blog. That being said, my relationship does nourish me. And in the theme of “nourishment”, I feel the need to share something:
 
I’ve been reading a lot of stuff lately about people and their relationships. And while I think it’s great that so many people are finding worthwhile companionship, I think it’s important to remember your self before you met said person or persons, if that be the case. 
 
I’ll be honest, sometimes I miss having an occasional evening to myself. I like lazing about in my onesie – yes, I have a onesie. With feet. – a bottle of wine in hand, half on the couch, half off, and just eating way too many of these.
 
That’s right, dear readers. I. Am. Sexy. Crumb city, population right here!
 
Aside from sexy though, I am also highly independent and while I heart my John with everything that I am, he also knows that this chick likes her alone time. 
 
 
It gives me time to feel like me without being anyone else for anyone else, as well as time to miss him. And just because I’m head over heels in love with someone doesn’t mean I want to spend my every waking moment with them. He knows that. And he respects it. Just as I am sure he’d be driven god awful bat shit crazy if I was in his face all the time.
 
It’s all about balance. And love. And making sure you give each other the opportunity to miss one another. Just because you’re part of a couple doesn’t mean you stop being you. That person should make your life better. And supplement your authentic self. Not dissolve who you are.
 
So – a toast. To deep fulfilling loves (romantic, friendly, self, or otherwise) and the people who fill our lives with so much goodness…. and of course, to half eaten cookies, almost empty bottles of vino, Ryan Gosling, sofas you can really sink into (and off of) and full bodied jammies. And of course, to John. Who loves me and accepts me better than anyone else ever could.
 
Now, with that being said, something else you should room for in your life? Vanilla Bean Pot de Creme. Pot de creme is a thick custard with eggs, cream, and flavourings. It’s good shit. Think of it as fancy pudding. Sort of. 
 
I was inspired to make this as a dipping apparatus for this month’s SRC assignment, homemade churros. Good lord! Creamy, sweet, uber vanilla flavor. Give. Me. More.
 
….who ever said balance was everything anyway?
 
 

Vanilla Bean Pot de Creme

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Heavy Cream.
  • 1 Vanilla Bean.
  • 4 Egg Yolks (save the whites for breakfast the next morning!).
  • 2 Tbsp White Sugar.
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract.
  • 1/2 C Whipping (Heavy) Cream, very cold.
  • 2 Tbsp Confectioner's Sugar.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F & bring a kettle of water to a boil.
  2. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the sticky seeds inside with a small sharp knife or the curve of a teaspoon. Add the seeds and the shell to the cream. Heat until small bubbles form around the edge of the saucepan.
  3. Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks and sugar with an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed until pale and light, approximately 2 minutes.
  4. Add 1 Tsp vanilla extract to the hot cream. Remove and discard the shell of the vanilla bean. Whisking the yolk/sugar mixture constantly, drizzle the hot cream into the bowl.
  5. Divide the custard among 4 ramekins. Place ramekins into a square baking dish. Pull out the rack of the oven and set the baking dish on it. Pour boiling water into baking dish until it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully slide the rack back into the oven and close the door; bake 30 minutes, until the center of each ramekin is barely set and wiggles slightly when shaken.
  6. Carefully move the baking dish to a rack and allow custards to cool to room temperature in the water bath. Cover each ramekin with plastic rap and refrigerate at least 2-3 hours or over night.
  7. In a medium-large bowl, beat the whipping cream at medium-high speed until it achieves soft peaks. Add the other tsp of vanilla extract and the confectioner's sugar. Beat a further minute or so, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
  8. Serve pot de creme with a dollop of whipping cream, and if desired, a little orange zest and a cinnamon stick for looks.

Notes

Modified from Food.com

 
 
  • Sam
    February 29, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    Well said. Time apart is just as important as time together. (Also, this sounds like my ideal Friday night…minus the footie pajamas…they make my feet all sweaty).

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:45 PM

      I told John that and he looked at me like he was worried mine would be too. haha

  • Aarthi
    February 29, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    This looks absolutely yummy..I should try this soon…Bookmarking this one..

    Aarthi
    http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:45 PM

      Thank you lovely!

  • Shelly {Quiet Luxury}
    February 29, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    There goes those yummy churros again, making another appearance. I’ve been seeing classic chocolate pots de creme lately. So it’s cool to see another spin on it. Looks yummy.

    -Shelly
    http://quietluxe.blogspot.com/

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:46 PM

      thanks Shelly! never hurts to mix it up…

  • Annie Smith
    February 29, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    Oh…decadence!

    I agree whole heartedly with you about space in relationship.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:46 PM

      high five for that!

  • onceuponarecipe
    February 29, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    I could not agree more. Me time is so important! I have a lot of me-time lately, being single and all. I’d be cool with some non-me time, and soon. I love the fact that you have a onesie. That is just pure awesomeness. And I’m pretty sure I would love these pots de creme – yum!

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:47 PM

      haha – oh amanda. isn’t it true? the grass is always greener.

  • Heather
    March 1, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    I live this post! Thinking about the psychology of relationships and pot de creme….what could be better!

  • Karen (Back Road Journal)
    March 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    I enjoyed you post and agree that we must not forget who we are. The lovely pot de creme is so tempting that it might be hard to stop at one.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:47 PM

      luckily i only made 3.

  • Jen @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
    March 1, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    Yum! I could eat this by the spoonful!

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:47 PM

      that’s the best way!

  • Cheap Ethnic Eatz
    March 1, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Pot de crΓͺme is so decadent, and best with a onesie and wine πŸ˜‰

  • Peggy
    March 1, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    Pot de Cremes as a vehicle for churros? Umm – you are a bloody genius girlfriend!

  • Swathi Iyer
    March 2, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    delicious pot-de-creme with churros, I am in. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:48 PM

      thanks for stopping by!

  • Kristin@gratefulbelly.com
    March 3, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    This looks delicious! Just came across your blog at a link party and am following now. Please stop by my brand new blog if you get a second, I’d love for you to follow me, too! Thanks πŸ™‚

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 5, 2012 at 5:20 AM

      Thanks Kristin! I’d be happy to come say hi πŸ™‚

  • Miz Helen
    March 4, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Your Vanilla Bean Pot de Cream is such an elegant dessert and very delicious! Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 5, 2012 at 5:20 AM

      Anytime πŸ™‚ thank YOU

  • Miz Helen
    March 8, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Congratulations!
    Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great day and enjoy your new Red Plate.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 8, 2012 at 9:36 PM

      i saw that! so stoked! i’m glad you liked it enough to feature it – plate looks good on my wall πŸ˜‰

  • Natural Mothers Network
    March 10, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Don’t think I could possibly stop at one of those gorgeous delights,mmm ..Thank you so much for sharing this with us on Natural Mothers Network Kristy!
    I am really looking forward to hosting the Seasonal Celebration Linky Party #7 going live tomorrow and hope you’ll pop over sometime-you’re always welcome!
    http://naturalmothersnetwork.com/category/seasonal-celebration-sunday/ Have a great weekend!
    Rebecca x

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 10, 2012 at 7:00 PM

      Hi Rebecca! Thanks for the heads up – will see you then

  • Vanessa
    October 5, 2013 at 4:18 AM

    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this out πŸ˜‰

    http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com/

    • Kristy Gardner
      October 5, 2013 at 6:27 PM

      Thank you Vanessa! Let me know how it works out for you!