Parmesan Flans with Tomatoes and Basil |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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Use a variety of colorful tomatoes, including red, yellow, orange, and green, to make this elegant dish more visually appealing. Serve as an appetizer or side dish, or pair it with a chilled soup, salad, and wine for a light meal. Ingredients:
cooking spray |
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
1 cup 1% low-fat milk |
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten |
2 large eggs, lightly beaten |
3/4 cup (3 ounces) finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese |
1/8 teaspoon salt |
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
2 cups chopped seeded tomato |
dash of salt |
dash of freshly ground black pepper |
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Coat 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with cooking spray. Place 3 tablespoons flour in a medium bowl. Gradually add milk to bowl, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Add egg whites and eggs; stir well. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; stir well. Divide mixture evenly among prepared custard cups. Place custard cups in a 9-inch square baking pan; add hot water to the pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until puffy and set.
3. Combine tomato, dash of salt, and dash of pepper in a medium bowl. Loosen edges of flans with a knife or rubber spatula. Place a plate, upside down, on top of each cup; invert onto plates. Spoon 1/2 cup tomato mixture over each flan. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon basil.
4. Wine note: These scrumptious flans take much of their savoriness from the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Because the cheese has a nutty/salty flavor, it pairs well with an earthy light red. Traditionally, Chianti would fill this bill, but for a more modern twist, try a California pinot noir instead. Pinot is an all-around winner with most hard cheeses. A favorite: Saintsbury 2006 Pinot Noir from Carneros, California, about $35. —Karen MacNeil
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