Crema catalana

Crema Catalana (also known as Catalan Cream or Burnt Cream) is a traditional dessert from the Catalonia region of Spain. It is often compared to Crème Brûlée, a similar dessert from France, but there are key differences in both the ingredients and preparation methods.

History

The origins of Crema Catalana are not definitively known, but it is believed to have been first made in the monasteries of Catalonia during the Middle Ages. The dessert is traditionally served on Saint Joseph's Day, which falls on March 19th.

Ingredients and Preparation

Crema Catalana is made from a base of milk, sugar, and egg yolks. The mixture is flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest, which gives it a distinctive taste. Unlike Crème Brûlée, which is baked in a water bath, Crema Catalana is cooked on the stove top.

Once the custard base is cooked, it is poured into individual dishes and allowed to cool. The dessert is then finished with a layer of caramelized sugar on top. This is typically done by sprinkling sugar over the custard and then using a kitchen torch to melt and brown the sugar, creating a hard, sweet crust.

Variations

While the traditional version of Crema Catalana is made with cinnamon and lemon, there are many variations of the dessert. Some recipes may use other flavors such as vanilla, orange zest, or even chocolate. There are also modern interpretations of the dessert that incorporate ingredients like cardamom, lavender, or rose water.

See Also

• Catalan cuisine
• Spanish cuisine
• List of Spanish desserts