Crème brûlée with sugared almonds and a rhubarb purée Recipe

Crème brûlée with sugared almonds and a rhubarb purée Recipe

  • 8 large free-range eggs
  • 115g/4oz caster sugar
  • 2 vanilla pods, seeds only
  • 250ml/9fl oz whole milk
  • 750ml/25fl oz double cream
  • 55g/2oz demerara sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • 550g/1lb 4oz whole almonds
  • 200g/7oz caster sugar
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 300g/10½oz rhubarb, cut in 2cm/¾in pieces
  • 1 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 blood oranges, juice only
  1. Using an egg cutter, cut the top off the large eggs and pour out the contents. Dry the egg shells out.
  2. Put the egg yolks in a bowl, add the caster sugar and vanilla seeds. Whisk together until pale, fluffy and well combined.
  3. In a small pan, bring the milk and cream to a gentle boil. Gradually pour over the egg mixture.
  4. Pour the mix back in the pan and cook until it has thickened, and coats the back of a spoon. Leave aside to cool.
  5. Carefully ladle the mixture into the dried egg shells. Just before serving sprinkle the demerara sugar on top and carmelise it using a chef's blowtorch.
  6. For the almonds, preheat the oven to 130C/110C Fan/Gas 1 and line a baking tray.
  7. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Add the almonds and stir until well-coated. Mix the sugar and salt together and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the tray.
  8. Cook for 1 hour in the oven, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown. Leave to cool.
  9. Increase the oven temperature to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
  10. Put the rhubarb in a roasting tin. Sprinkle over the sugar, then drizzle over the juice. Roast the rhubarb in the oven for 8-12 minutes, or until just tender. Leave to cool. Place in a blender and blend until smooth.
  11. Serve the crème brûlée egg on a serving plate alongside the rhubarb purée and sugared almonds.