Custard to impress company (just don't tell them how easy it was)
Here's a wonderful dessert for entertaining at home. It's incredibly easy (I do it all the time), and it never fails to impress.
We never thought we could turn out the smooth creme custards we love in restaurants until we tried Creme Custard with Berries, adapted from the creme brulee at a Raleigh, N.C., restaurant called the Wicked Smile.
The secret to the silky custard is cooking it in a water bath. Gourmet chefs call this a bain-marie, but you don't need any fancy equipment to pull this off. It's as simple as placing custard cups in a roasting pan, pouring in a little water, and sticking the whole thing in the oven. The result is a gentle heat that surrounds the custard, causing it to cook evenly without curdling.
Your guests will love you for trying it, although trust me, they'll never believe it's actually easy! For more information on New Year's entertaining at home, check our blog at kitchenscoop.com.
• Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross have been writing "Desperation Dinners" for more than a decade. Contact them at Desperation Dinners, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016 or tellus@kitchenscoop.com.
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