Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease 8 to 10 ramekins, or custard cups, 3-4
ounce capacity. In a blender or food processor combine:
Puree all the ingredients until smooth. Arrange the ramekins in a baking dish.
Pour the custard mixture into the ramekins, filling them almost to the top.
Put the pan full of custards into the oven, then add hot water to the pan until
it comes within 1/2 inch of the tops of the ramekins. Bake the custards for
at least one hour (the time will vary depending on the ramekin size, accuracy
of the oven temperature, etc.) until they are set in the center.
When they are done baking, refrigerate the custards until you are ready to
serve them. To serve: warm the custard in a microwave oven (one custard will
take approximately 30 seconds on high) run a knife around the edge of the ramekin,
and invert the custard onto the plate.
Notes:
This is an easy recipe for a custard that we use as an accompaniment to a variety
of appetizers and salad. It has an added benefit in that it can be made in advance
and warmed in the microwave to serve. We originally developed this recipe as
a roasted tomato custard, but soon found that it worked very well with a wide
variety of other vegetables as long as they were cooked, (preferably roasted
to bring out the most flavor) and pureed.
Some serving suggestions:
Grilled shrimp with a warm tomato Custard and basil vinaigrette
Pan-fried duck breast on greens with a warm pumpkin and parmesan custard with
cranberry and green peppercorn dressing
Roasted asparagus with a warm wild mushroom custard, and a cool fresh tomato
sauce