This recipe for a hard pudding is a delightful treat that's simple yet sophisticated, perfect for dessert or a snack. It's all about three basic ingredients: caramel and a pudding liquid. The caramel is made with fine granulated sugar and boiling water, and heated until it reaches a tortoise-sweet color.
The pudding liquid is a mix of whole eggs, fine granulated sugar, milk, and an optional vanilla paste. The preparation involves warming the eggs, preparing a mold, and preheating the oven. The caramel is then poured into a container and mixed with the pudding liquid, which is heated to about 50℃. The mixture is strained to remove air bubbles and then steamed in the oven at 150℃ for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, the pudding is pressed out of the mold and ready to enjoy. This recipe is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in cooking, where a few ingredients can create a memorable dessert experience.
Ingredients
- Caramel:
- 20g fine granulated sugar
- 4g water
- 6g boiling water
- Pudding Liquid:
- 110g whole eggs
- 35g fine granulated sugar
- 210g milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla paste (optional)
Preparation
1. Warm Up Your Eggs: Bring all the eggs to room temperature. This helps them mix better with the other ingredients.
2. Prepare Your Mold: Brush your mold with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
3. Heat the Water: Heat the water in a hot water bath to around 50℃. If you boil it beforehand, it will cool down and be ready at the perfect temperature.
4. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 160℃.
Making the Caramel
1. Mix the Sugar and Water: Add the fine granulated sugar and water to a pot and heat over medium heat. Stir until it starts to bubble and turns a tortoise-sweet color. Be careful not to let it boil too much to avoid burning.
2. Safety First: Cover the pot with aluminum foil and pour in the hot water through a small gap to prevent splashing. Once the foam subsides, shake the pot to create the perfect caramel color.
3. Cool Down: Once the caramel is ready, pour it into a container in three equal parts.
Preparing the Pudding Liquid
1. Prepare the Eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature and have the chalaza removed.
2. Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the fine granulated sugar, whole eggs, and vanilla paste (if using).
3. Heat the Milk: Pour the milk into a pot and heat it to about 50℃. Be careful not to overheat it.
4. Combine and Strain: Gently mix the milk with the egg mixture and strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any air bubbles.
5. Pour into the Caramel: Divide the mixture into three equal parts and pour it into the container with the solidified caramel.
Baking the Pudding
1. Steam-Bake: Place the container in a square mold, pour hot water around it, and bake at 150℃ for about 30 minutes. If your oven's temperature is too low, you can steam-bake at 160℃.
2. Check for Doneness: If the center is still shaking, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the Mold: Once cooled, use a lightly dampened spoon to press down on the pudding, then carefully remove it from the mold using centrifugal force.
And there you have it! A simple, yet delicious hard pudding recipe that's easy to follow. Enjoy your homemade treat!