How Many Cheat Days Should You Have on a Diet
For this week's Valentine's Day post, I wanted to write about something that would kill two birds with one stone: Prepare a delicious meal that would double as a gift. And since I wasn't about to make an outfit out of sushi I had to resort to the next best thing: Buy a blowtorch.
Every guy is a bit of a pyromaniac. And wielding a blowtorch is scarily addicting. I know because I played with one last night. I sheepishly approached my propane tank with some fears. It looks like something a welder should be carrying—not an amateur baker. (Just another reason why your guy will love it.) Since the only things I'm used to lighting are candles, I opened all my windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and had my roommate stand nearby with a fire extinguisher. After three tries, we got it to light by holding the match very close to the nozzle at a 45-degree angle. Then with a new-found confidence, I showed my sugar-crusted crème brûlée who was boss.
The amazing crème brûlée I made—and suggest you make for Valentine's Day—is actually a "pots de crème," basically a bowl of custard. Chef Richard Grausman, author of French Classics Made Easy, swaps heavy cream for milk without skimping on that thick, velvety flavor. It's really simple to whip up a batch, but I suggest making this the day before since it has to be refrigerated for at least two hours.
And where to buy a blowtorch? Well, you have a few options. If you want to convince your guy to take a bigger role in the kitchen, pick up a grisly propane torch from your local hardware store. Or, if you want a more kitchen-friendly torch, check out Oggi's crème brûlée set, which comes with a less intimidating torch (but you'll have to buy the propane separately) and four ramekins.
Creamy Crème Brûlée Recipe
What you'll need: 3 cups milk ½ cup plus 3 tbsps sugar 2 eggs 5 egg yolks 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1½ tsp instant coffee granules
How to make it: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F with the oven rack in the lowest position. (You want to cook crème brûlée on the oven floor to keep a skin from forming on top.) 2. In a small saucepan, bring the milk and sugar to a boil over medium heat. 3. In a bowl, whisk the whole eggs and yolks together lightly. Stirring constantly, slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the eggs. Stir in the vanilla. 4. Divide the custard into 2 equal portions. Add the coffee to one portion and stir until dissolved. For perfectly smooth custard, strain the mixtures into 6 small ramekins. Spoon any foam off the top. 5. Place the pots into a roasting pan or a bain-marie. (Chicago Metallic makes a really convenient bain-marie where you can easily lift all the ramekins out of the boiling water with their in-laid rack so you won't burn or splash yourself.)
Add boiling water to the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the pots.* Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the custard comes out dry or clean, about 20 to 30 minutes. Do not let the custard boil. If the custard begins to puff, it's an indication that it's beginning to boil. Remove it from the oven immediately. 6. Allow the pots to cool and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 7. When ready to serve, sprinkle sugar on the top and torch away. If you don't have a torch or don't want to buy one, you can slip these ramekins under your broiler until the sugar-crusted top turns brown.
* Using this cooking method will allow the custard to cook without boiling or separating. "The water bath keeps the mold from getting too hot since the water never goes above 212°F," says Chef Grausman.
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How Many Cheat Days Should You Have on a Diet
Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19913974/cheat-day-the-best-valentines-day-gift-for-your-man/