TWD: (Not Quite Successful) Lemongrass Créme Brûleé


When a recipe requires the use of a kitchen tool that I do not have, that is the first sign telling me not to do it. And when Laurie particularly put up a post saying that it's alright to choose an alternative recipe for this week if we do not own a blowtorch, I should know better that the broiler method might not work.

But I still went ahead and gave the créme brûleé recipe a try. There's something about custardy dessert that I simply can't resist! I made 1/3 portion of the recipe, and the warmed cream and milk mixture was infused with a stick of crushed lemongrass.

The result, as you can see from the picture, was far from perfect. Everything went well until the chilled custard was put under the broiler. The middle part puffed up and it burned faster than the surrounding, and I have to salvage the custard by removing it from the oven immediately.

Fortunately, the créme brûleé was still edible. The sugar crust did have the crunch but I'm sure it would taste much better if it's caramelised. The custard was very smooth and I love the flavor of lemongrass in it!

Mari who chose the recipe has done a perfect version of créme brûleé. Head over to her blog to have a look!

Comments

Anonymous said…
lemongrass, such a great idea!! i'll bet it gave a really lovely subtle flavor to the custard.
Anonymous said…
Great idea with Lemon Grass. Even though you were not happy with it, I think it came out wonderful! Great job!!!
vibi said…
What'ya talking about? This is far from being unsuccessful!
I've been to France, I've seen and eaten many crèmes brûlées... and let me tell you, yours is pretty nice and very presentable!
Beautiful picture on top of that!
BRAVO!
daphne said…
That reminds me... someone gave me a blowtouch for my birthday but I havent bought the refills yet!

Lemon grass and creme bulee huh-I think that's a brilliant idea! And I will have that bowl anyday!!!! Looks ARE deceiving. =)
Edith said…
aiyah, burnt or not, still looks good. mmmm.... I love lemongrass and creme brulee. Brilliant combination.
Gretchen Noelle said…
Well, good for you for trying it this way anyway. Glad you could still enjoy the taste even though it didn't have it's crunch.
Anonymous said…
Lemongrass infused Créme Brûleé, very interesting!

Despite the slight mishap, the photo still looks good.
Engineer Baker said…
Lemongrass sounds wonderful - I must admit, it's exactly your result that kept me from trying the creme brulee. Even though a number of people made the broiler work, I worried.
Y said…
It still makes for a lovely picture, even if it wasn't entirely successful!
Mari said…
I've wanted to make a lemongrass crème brûlée forever! I bet it tasted so good! I'm sorry the broiler didn't work out for you, but I hope that you'll give it another try one day.
CB said…
Wow. Lemongrass. Really? I never would have thunk! I love lemon flavor anything. I might have to give your adaption a try! Great job!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Anonymous said…
Lemongrass sounds interesting. Your brulee top looks good!
still looks good to me! i had a lemongrass brulee once, and the flavor was exquisite!
Unknown said…
Looks great! I wasn't brave enough to try the broiler method so bravo for attempting it!
Christine said…
Lemongrass is such a great idea! Mine didn't fair to well under the broiler. Still looks good to me!
Anonymous said…
I braved the broiler with less than perfect results myself. Yours looks much better though!
Heather B said…
I think it looks fabulous! Mine decided to re-melt under the broiler so I got soup!
Nikki57 said…
Ohh lemongrass sounds super tasty!
Marthe said…
Too bad the sugar burned under the broiler.... Fortunately the crème brûlée still tasted great!! How interesting to use the lemongrass!
Someone else caramelized the sugar first,then poured the syrup over chilled creme brulee. Came out pretty good.

Lemongrass-infused, eh? That gets the creative juices flowing...what else can be infused into the custard?
Anonymous said…
it still looks good nonetheless!! God! I miss you! tot u coming back in Oct :(
Shari said…
I think your photo is beautiful, and I'd love to have that served to me! Lemongrass-infused sounds delicious!
Stardust said…
The lemongrass touch is so clever!

It doesn't look any inferior to me, and I'm very sure that it tastes wonderful!
LyB said…
I would not have thought of trying a lemon-grass infused crème brûlée but it is now on the LONG list of crème brûlées I have to try. It looks great! :)