Choosing a recipe for this second week’s post in the MUY BUENO Cookbook Spotlight and Cook-Off wasn’t an easy task. This beautiful book is full of mouth-watering recipes and tantalizing photos and I could have selected several recipes from each of the eleven chapters. Narrowing down my list of possibilities to half a dozen took awhile, and the recipe I finally chose is for coconut flan. I don’t care for overly sweet desserts so was impressed by this recipe’s use of milk instead of cream and the addition of coconut milk. The result is a smooth as silk custard with a heavenly coconut flavor. The caramel sauce and toasted coconut shavings finish it perfectly. This is one of those recipes that can easily be made a day or two ahead and plated just before serving.
I love to browse through cookbooks and reading MUY BUENO has been a real treat. The authors celebrate their family traditions and favorite recipes in their book and if you would like to know more about them visit their blog Muy Bueno – Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavors. This Cook-Off event is hosted by Heather at girlichef and you can see a list of all the participating bloggers if you visit her website.
This post is part of the Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off sponsored by Hippocrene and hosted at girlichef.
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 3 eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon coconut extract
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ⅓ cup coconut flakes
- Bring the milk and ½ cup sugar to a boil and mix well until the sugar has dissolved. Keep the mixture at a low boil for about 45 minutes, mixing occasionally during the cooking time.
- While you are reducing the milk, prepare the caramel: Put the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt, about 5 to 7 minutes. No need to stir, just swirl the saucepan around over the heat until it starts to melt. Once the sugar is a deep maple color it is ready. Quickly drizzle the caramel into the bottom of 8 4-ounce ramekins. The caramel will harden and crackle as it cools off. Don’t worry, it will liquefy once it’s in the oven with the flan.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
- Beat the eggs, egg yolks, coconut extract and coconut milk in a mixing bowl.
- Strain the reduced milk into a separate bowl. (Straining will remove any solid particles or milk skins.) Quickly whisk the egg mixture into the reduced milk mixture. Slowly pour into the prepared ramekins.
- Place ramekins in a roasting pan and put on the middle rack of the oven. Carefully add warm water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 minutes or until edges are set (the center will not be set).
- Remove roasting pan from the oven and remove ramekins from the water and place on a wire rack to completely for at least 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, cover ramekins with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. (These can be made several days in advance and still taste delicious.)
- When ready to serve, toast coconut in a dry pan just until it has a nice golden color. Carefully run a paring knife around edges of the ramekins to loosen the flan, invert onto serving plates, sprinkle with some of the toasted coconut and serve.
Hippocrene, the publisher of Muy Bueno, has generously provided the bloggers participating in this Cook-Off with a copy of the cookbook to give away to readers. To enter the giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. For additional chances to win leave a comment on last week’s post, MUSHROOM, JALAPENO AND CILANTRO SALSA, and on next week’s cookbook review. This is a great book to add to your collection.
This post is linked to FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm and ON THE MENU MONDAY at StoneGable.
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Elegant too..love the idea of make ahead and no cream:)Don’t you love that large flaked coconut?
Monique recently posted..Rose Petal Scones~
I have never attempted to make a flan myself but you make it look so easy.
bellini recently posted..Calgary-Style Ginger Fried Chicken with Snow Peas and Peppers
It is easy, Val. The recipe goes together quickly and the custards are easy to invert onto a dessert plate. It’s a great dessert to serve after a heavy meal, especially this version without heavy cream. Hope you try it.
Cathy recently posted..Muy Bueno Cookbook Cook-Off ~ Coconut Flan
Mmmm…this is so tempting, Cathy! I make flan often, but almost always the same way, I think I’m going to have to change things up and make this beautiful coconut version next time. Just lovely!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Salsa de Hongos y Jalapeños {#MuyBuenoCookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off}
Flan is delicious. I grew-up eating this simply and tasty custard. Very nice!
Velva
Velva recently posted..It’s 5 0′ Clock Somewhere- Tequila Oasis Cocktail
This flan looks super easy & delicious . I will definitely try it ! Thanks !
Flan has always been on my to-make list. Your recipe looks yummy!
Lisa @akawest recently posted..Cheese Souffle
Now that flan looks absolutely perfect. Love the idea of the coconut flavour.
Ann recently posted..Linguine with Chicken,Roasted Tomatoes and Olives
This looks like perfection Cathy. I love your photo and your recipe. Great job.
Penny recently posted..Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Cathy, I love flan and especially coconut flavor. I want to make this. Great photos. xo
Barbara F. recently posted..Gone to Find Green-er Acres
This looks LOVELY..Flan is one of my favorites, and I’ve never seen a recipe with milk instead of cream. Can’t wait to try it!
Beautiful looking flan. One of my all time favorites, I have to try the coconut!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Chicken Parm Meatballs and Spaghetti
If the other recipes are as tasty-sounding as this one – and so far they are – this book goes on my Wish List!! Thanks, I always appreciate a heads-up regarding a good cookbook.
I wanted to make this one, but my Mac and Cheese craving won out. I’ve never made flan and I think this coconut version sounds wonderful.
Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch) recently posted..Macaroni and Cheese ala Mexicana, Muy Bueno Cookbook
Looks beautiful Cathy and I really do love coconut too! Happy Weekend:@)
Cathy – your flan looks like a shot from a cookbook.
Larry recently posted..Go West Old Man – Headed Up To Denver, CO – 2012
I love flan. It really is easy to make. The best one I ever tasted was made by a student’s mother and brought to our classroom.
Becky recently posted..Woods Lake, California
Love flan and have never made it. Why, oh why! It looks so good.
Marilyn recently posted..Autumn Tea Continued
Flan is a favorite of mine, but I’ve never had – or seen – a coconut flan. What a winning idea.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Eggplant and Pasta Timballo
Very smooth…the flan looks really perfectly baked!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Walnut stuffed Dates with Coconut
I’ve only made flan once and loved it! It just not something I usually think of when I need a dessert. Love the coconut milk in this one.
Susan recently posted..Lemon Capri Torte
I have only had flan once when I was really young and the texture really threw me off, but I think this looks really delicious.
Rhonda recently posted..I am alive!
Oh, this looks divine! I love the thought of these flavors together. I’ve been eating a lot of coconut lately, and the thought of it with flan… yum!
There’s a little dessert I had this summer at Carraba’s which was a chocolate coconut mousse with some sort of nuts, as I recall. SO good. Thought of you then. You are the queen of good food, lady.
Have missed you…
XO,
Sheila
Mrs. Magpie recently posted..Missing You and Hopefully Will Have A New Computer Before I Turn Grey!
I’m not fond of overly sweet desserts either. I love the toasted coconut on top of this Cathy.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Indian-Spiced Lentils and Lamb Stew
Interesting how different cultures develop their own versions of almost the same thing – this flan, creme caramel and blancmange all have their roots in a smooth custard – but are all so different! This one looks particularly good – coconut milk is a faviourite ingredient!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Good Day at Black Rock Falls! Kununurra, Western Australia
Oh my…your pictures of the coconut flan are gorgeous! The flan looks super silky, creamy, and seductive
I definitely agree that it was very hard to chose a recipe for this week. I feel the same way you do about the book!
Beautiful post!
Kim recently posted..Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Potatoes {Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight and Cook-off}
This flan sounds so easy and looks so beautiful. Great choice!
A Couple in the Kitchen recently posted..Curried Mussels with Lemongrass
Your photos are beautiful!! I’ve never made flan before. You make it look so good and tempting.
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla Fig and Pear Freezer Jam
this looks like creamy, delicious, heaven! i would love to try a flan.
teresa recently posted..Turkey, Bacon, and Scallion Stuffed Potatoes
Why have I never thought of adding coconut flavors to flan when both are among my favorite things! So glad you gave me the prompt.
Linda recently posted..Come Along to Common Ground
Your flan is stunning! I agree–it’s been difficult to decide what to make since I want to make everything.
Michelle recently posted..Adios, Rick
Cathy, this looks so creamy and delicious. We love flan but for some reason I forget about it! Thanks for this beautiful reminder! Coconut sounds sensational!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..SnickerDoodle Muffins with …….. DoodleSnicker Butter!
Yum, coconut is one of my favorites! I love flan too, thanks for sharing!
A divine & amazing tasty looking coconut flan!
Yummmm!
Heaven on a lovely plate!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan chocolate mousse!
Thank you so much, Cathy, for coming by and offering to help with my blogging issues. You know, I have never been any good at the technical part of this, and when I finally after all these years feel comfortable, they change it! ARGH! LOL!
I have really missed you and hope that you and your family are all well and enjoying life. Your cooking is as marvelous as ever, and I think you know I have always been one of your biggest fans. If you don’t. you do now.
Much, much love to you, and I plan to email you soon. I’ve absconded with Mr. M’s machine, and I only have limited time on here. I’m just glad to have any at all. Eventually, I would like to get a MAC, but I wonder if I’m too much of a techno-klutz to use one. I’m also waiting till some of the sting goes away from having to replace the eaves on our actual residence to the tune of buying a new car! It was a major OUCH, and there’s yet more lurking that needs to be done. But I’m thankful to get over that hurdle. Now, if I can find the cord to my camera, my camera, and the battery (which are SOMEWHERE buried in my closet, I think), then I will try and take some pictures for my eventual return. Can’t very well blog without pics or a camera or a computer. LOL!
Love you…
XOXOXO,
Sheila
I am a true flan lover. The recipe I usually make has a bit of cream cheese which makes it a bit denser. I think I’d love the lightness of this one, not to mention the coconut which is almost an addiction of mine. Your photos are gorgeous.
Karen Harris recently posted..Muy Bueno Spotlight #3: Vangie’s Sopaipillas and a Giveaway
i love flan, looks so yummy!!
I love flan and this one with coconut extract and coconut milk sounds unbelievably good. can’t really rate without trying, but by going by ingredients it looks like a winner.
This sounds really tasty! Thanks for posting the recipe!
What great photos, Cathy! The flan looks and sounds mouthwatering!
Pam recently posted..Honeycrisp Apple Bread, a Truly Delicious Quick Bread
I love flan, but have only made it the basic way – can’t wait to try this recipe!
Amy J recently posted..What’s On My Plate…
I bet it was hard picking, but this looks amazing! Great job
Ginny recently posted..Nectresse 0 Calorie Sweetener Review
Have never made flan before, this looks delicious!
There’s definitely a place waiting on my shelf for this cookbook!
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