This delightful savory garlic custard makes a great appetizer or first course as it is very stunning delicious and smooth. The Phoenix New Times in 2000 awarded this dish the best garlic custard in Phoenix.
- 2 tablespoons garlic, roasted*
- 1 jalapeno chile pepper, minced very fine
- 2 cups cream
- 2 eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup olive oil, extra-virgin
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1 cup Salsa Fresca**
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Adjust oven rack to center position. Lightly butter eight (1/4 cup) custard cups or ramekins and set them into a large baking dish.
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In a large bowl, combine, garlic, jalapeno chilepepper, cream, egg, egg yolks, white pepper, and nutmeg.
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Pour egg mixture into prepared custard cups. Place the baking dish with the custard cups into your hot oven. Carefully pour warm water into the baking pan to come half-way cup the sides of the custard cups.
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Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from oven leave the custards in the water bath to keep warm (can be kept in water bath up to 20 minutes).
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While custards are baking, prepare Salsa Fresca Vinaigrette.
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To serve, turn the custards out of their ramekins onto individual serving plates. Spoon warm Salsa Fresca Vinaigrette over each one and sprinkle with Herbed Hazelnuts.
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Makes 8 servings (depending on size of custard cups).
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In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and Salsa Fresca; set aside to keep warm.
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Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch dice; put the tomatoes with their juices into a bowl. Rinse and stem the jalapeno chile; shake out seeds and cut out the veins. Finely chop the chili. Add it to the bowl, along with the onion, cilantro, and juice. Stir gently to mix; add additional lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
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Makes about 2 1/4 cups.
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Coarsely chop nuts. In a large frying pan over low heat, melt butter. Add hazelnuts, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper; saute until the nuts are well coated. NOTE: Herbed Hazelnuts can be prepared in advance.
* Learn How To Roast Garlic.
** If you don't have the time to make Salsa Fresca, you can purchase a good-quality salsa.
*** Your favorite nuts may be substituted (walnuts, pecans, or a mixture of nuts).
Source: Recipe adapted from the Cafe Terra Cotta Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona.