Have you ever savored the silky custard known as crème anglaise while enjoying dessert at a restaurant? This classic French sauce, made from humble ingredients like milk, eggs, and sugar, adds a luxurious touch to any sweet dish. However, mastering the art of making crème anglaise at home can be a daunting task.
Crafting this delicate custard requires precise cooking to prevent it from curdling or burning. One must vigilantly monitor the mixture on the stovetop to achieve the perfect consistency—a task that demands patience and skill. In culinary school, I honed my crème anglaise-making skills through countless attempts, learning to thicken the sauce until it coats the back of a spoon just right.
Years later, I stumbled upon an ingenious shortcut courtesy of Ina Garten. With her clever hack, you can recreate the decadent crème anglaise at home with a single ingredient and minimal effort. The secret ingredient lies in the frozen aisle of your local grocery store.
What exactly is crème anglaise? This luscious sauce, a staple in Ina’s kitchen, consists of egg yolks, sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla. Watching culinary icons like Julia Child prepare this delicate sauce on television might have sparked your curiosity about this French classic.
To make crème anglaise, sugar and egg yolks are whisked together while milk infused with vanilla bean simmers on the stove. The hot milk is then slowly incorporated into the egg mixture before being cooked to achieve the desired nappe consistency—a term that refers to the sauce coating the back of a spoon. This versatile sauce is a key component in various traditional French desserts, from enhancing chocolate soufflés to serving as a base for Floating Islands.
Ina’s brilliant shortcut involves using melted vanilla ice cream to replicate the flavors and texture of crème anglaise without the hassle of traditional preparation. By allowing the ice cream to reach a pourable consistency and giving it a quick whisk, you can enjoy a delightful crème anglaise in minutes, no stovetop required.
For the best results, opt for vanilla bean ice cream to capture the authentic flecks of vanilla found in homemade crème anglaise. This easy sauce can elevate a wide range of desserts, from chocolate cakes to fruity treats. Ina recommends serving the melted ice cream in a small pitcher for a touch of elegance, perfect for drizzling over your favorite sweet indulgences.
Whether you choose to pair it with a decadent chocolate cake or a light fruit dessert, this simplified crème anglaise hack is sure to impress your guests and elevate your culinary creations.
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