Recipe: Rosemary/thyme flan

Total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes, plus overnight chilling

Servings: 8

Note: From Donna Deane.

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 1/3 cups sugar, divided

3 sprigs rosemary about 5 to 6 inches long or a small handful of thyme sprigs (about half of a 2/3 -ounce package)

3 egg yolks

3 eggs

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, the cream and two-thirds cup of the sugar. Bruise the sprigs of rosemary or thyme with a mallet to lightly crush them. Add the herbs to the milk mixture in the saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat, cover and let the infused milk steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Lift the cheesecloth out of the strainer, and squeeze out any remaining liquid from the herbs, then discard them.

2. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the remaining two-thirds cup sugar into a heavy-bottomed skillet and heat over medium heat. Shake the pan so that the sugar is evenly distributed in the bottom of the pan. Tilt and move the pan around on the burner to prevent hot spots, and heat until the sugar caramelizes to an amber color, 5 to 6 minutes.

3. Pour the caramelized sugar evenly into the bottom of a 2-quart, round, glass baking dish. If necessary, tilt the baking dish back and forth so the bottom is evenly coated with the caramel. Allow the caramel to cool.

4. Whisk together the egg yolks and eggs just until blended. Whisk the infused milk mixture into the eggs and strain.

5. Put the caramel-lined baking dish into a deep, 13-by-9-inch pan and pour the egg custard mixture into the baking dish. Pour in enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the pan to the level of the custard. Carefully put it in the oven.

6. Bake until the flan is set and the center has a slight jiggle, about 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool, then cover and chill overnight.

7. When you’re ready to serve, loosen the sides of the flan with the tip of a knife or a small spatula and invert the flan onto a large serving plate. If you have a problem removing the flan, dip the baking dish into a pan of hot water to loosen the bottom and sides.

Each serving: 358 calories; 6 grams protein; 37 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams fiber; 22 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 222 mg. cholesterol; 65 mg. sodium.