Another recipe that several of you requested from my "You Write the Menu" post was flan. Maybe you were looking for a challenging recipe to throw at me, but this one was surprisingly easy.
I decided to go for a dessert version of the custard dish that focuses on the flavors of vanilla and caramel. I tested several variations of the recipe below and found that this one gave the best results for the caramel and the custard. Others had a caramel that was too syrupy or the custard was way too dense.
Try to look at this recipe as a solid foundation that you can then tweak. Go ahead—substitute the vanilla extract for almond or lemon. Replace the soy milk with coconut milk or maybe even a little coffee. And please let me know if you create any great variations!
Caramel Flan
For the Caramel:
1/2 cup sugar
•Place the sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir and melt until golden. Pour into the bottom of ramekins.
For the Custard:
2 cups plain soy milk
1 Tbsp. agar-agar flakes
1/2 cup extra-firm silken tofu
1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
•Place the soy milk in a medium saucepan and sprinkle with the agar flakes. Let sit for 10 minutes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the agar has dissolved.
•Put the tofu, sugar, vanilla, salt, and soy milk mixture in a blender and blend until very smooth.
•Pour into the ramekins over the syrup, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours.
•To remove from the ramekins, dip the bottom in hot water for about 15 seconds, then turn over onto a plate.
Makes 3 large or 6 small flan
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Comments ( 11 )
Yay! This is the recipe of my dreams!
I have been looking for a vegan flan recipe that didn't use coconut milk, so thank you so much for this recipe- I know I will be making this right away!
Posted by Animal-Friendly | June 11, 2008 10:07 AM
Posted on June 11, 2008 10:07
6/10/08
I find it fascinating
you suggested a high cholesterol ingredient, coconut milk, as a substitute in your flan. I realize PETA is a non-animal eating site, but they are heavily associated with PCRM, a health/animal publication.
If you kill your readers off with high cholesterol ingredients, PETA will receive less money in donations....
Posted by Rita Ross | June 11, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on June 11, 2008 13:00
Actually, in response to Rita's comment, coconut milk has no cholesterol. It is true that it's high in saturated fat, but all vegan products are cholesterol-free. In addition, coconut milk and products made with coconut milk, though higher in fat, are currently being recommended as healthy alternatives to traditional products.
Posted by Eliza | June 12, 2008 11:37 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 11:37
What kind of sugar are you using? (Not the bone char variety, I hope). I have not yet found a vegan sugar I like. Thanks! Your recipe sounds awesome!
Posted by Ashley | June 15, 2008 8:13 PM
Posted on June 15, 2008 20:13
I'm not fond of soy milk, and half-hearted about agar, but I wonder, what about tapioca? Is there any recipe based on tapioca? --Thanks!
Posted by R | June 18, 2008 10:45 PM
Posted on June 18, 2008 22:45
Thanks for all the recipes specially this one to make a flan. Sorry my mistakes, I don't speak English and I live in Brazil. I would like to know if we can find here agar-agar flakes and I don't know if this is an egg replacer.Please, help me to prepare this flan here in São Paulo,Br.
Thank you. Hugs from Brazil
Wanda Di Lallo
Posted by Wanda Di Lallo | June 19, 2008 6:38 AM
Posted on June 19, 2008 06:38
This looks wonderful. I tried making something like your using avocado instead of tofu, which I think can be further improved, here what i did http://crystalbyblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/vegan-caramel-custard-pudding.html
I didn't think of using soymilk, I should try that next round. Thanks.
I love your blog :)
Cheers :)
Posted by crystal | June 19, 2008 7:48 AM
Posted on June 19, 2008 07:48
What are agar agar flakes? I'm guessing from the conversation about coconut milk that these are coconut flakes? Or not?
Posted by Laura R | June 19, 2008 9:36 PM
Posted on June 19, 2008 21:36
Agar Agar is a vegetable gelatin.
Posted by Fatima | June 23, 2008 1:49 PM
Posted on June 23, 2008 13:49
Agar can be found in bulk sections of health food stores or at Asian Markets. It is in powder, flake, or bar form. when using powder use less than in flake form, when using bars boil down the agar and remelt for recipes.
I love using agar for my gelatin fix I melt agar in mango, raspberry, pomegranate juice, or soy milk with coconut meat or almonds, but I never thought of making flan. Great Idea.
Posted by Diane | June 26, 2008 2:41 PM
Posted on June 26, 2008 14:41
Im having trouble with the sugar. How do you melt it with out it turning hard it is sugar maybe a simple syrup would be better sugar and water.
Posted by liza | June 29, 2008 8:40 PM
Posted on June 29, 2008 20:40