Crème Brûlée à la Bay Leaves

While searching for recipes to use bay leaves, this one just seemed absolutely intriguing, so we had to give it a try. We're not necessarily a fan of Crème Brûlée, and I'm not sure the bay leaves made a difference, but this was fun to make and absolutely delicious. I even enjoyed the crunchy topping. Fortunately for Wayne, who wasn't a fan of that, I only made the topping for two of them; the other two we tried as plain custard.

Crème Brûlée

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 bay leaves
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Heat milk and cream to just below boiling (about 3 minutes in the microwave). Steep the bay leaves in the milk mixture for an hour. 

Combine the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt and beat until smooth. Strain the milk mixture and add to the egg mixture. Strain again before pouring into 4 ramekins.

Bake at 325 degrees, in a water bath, for 30 to 45 minutes, until set. Chill for two hours, then sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Broil 4-5" from heat until top is caramelized. Serve warm, or chill again first. Makes 4 servings.