Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Flan and tea

I've been trying to eat healthy this year. I've been fixing balanced meals and using as many fresh veggies as I can find. But Sunday, when I was at a local market, I was overcome by the Flan.

If you have ever made Flan, you love it, but get tired of making it. I always begin by caramelizing the mold (a deep straight sided pan) I will make the flan in. Once I prepare the flan (which includes beating the eggs and canned milks for what seems like forever), I place it in the mold, then in a deep baking dish partially filled with hot water. I then cook it for an hour, after which I remove it from the mold and turn it upside down so the caramelized "goo" is now on top, but spills over the sides, too.

OK, this purchased flan has NO caramelized "goo," just some piped whip topping, nor does it taste exactly like the custardy flan I've made in the past. But, doing the math, it was actually cheaper than the eight eggs, one large or two small cans of sweetened condensed milk, two cans of evaporated milk, sugar, and Mexican vanilla, the required ingredients, as well as the electricity/gas it takes to cook the flan at 350 degrees F for an hour.

So, although it didn't taste as good as mine, I still enjoyed it while drinking a cup of Lapsang Souchong, a smoky tasting loose leaf tea from China. This black tea was the perfect compliment to the sweet taste of the flan.
Link
And although I bought this tea at the Spice Merchant, I have read through their complete web site and newsletter and see nothing pointing to their teas being organic. So, I'm left with the decision to drink this tea, of which I purchased over 8 pounds last year in increments (bags) of 1/4 lb. (to the tune of well over $150.00 US-see my right sidebar for conversions), or throw it away because it may or may not be organic. I think I'll continue to drink it, since I only drink tea once a week, unless I do a 7 day marathon, but that involves using one tea bag for each day that has nothing to do with the leaf tea I get from the Spice Merchant. Somehow I feel I can live with my decision!

Now please join Kimmie and show what you are drinking this Tea Tuesday.

And if you would like to chime in on what type of camera you would recommend I buy (see this post from Sunday night), I would greatly appreciate it. Right now I'm confused!

Even though I will be offline this week for the first time in a long time, I have a post scheduled for later in the week that stars Bleubeard, and I just checked Inspiration Avenue's challenge, which is HANDS, so you know it won't take a minute to bring out some hands in my Hand altered book. However, I won't be around the rest of this week (after I visit all my Tea Tuesday friends) because I am preparing my house, yard, and fridge for an out-of-state visitor. And of course, I'll be back Sunday night with another AB lesson.

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18 thoughtful remarks:

Dianne said...

looks like you are having a Yummy Tea Tuesday! sounds wonderful...please don't work too hard getting ready for your visitor, you need to be able to enjoy yourself when he/she arrives! take care...will be anticipating your 'hands' post.

Unknown said...

Hey sweet lady, sorry I've been MIA of late- I'm really really trying to get back on track! Your flan looks pretty darn good even with out the goo and your maths reminded me of why I stopped baking for our local market- not only was I not making much money, when you added in things like gas, water (for washing a LOT of dishes;))and of course TIME spent; I was losing money! And although I'm not a ta drinker, your tea looks pretty good too!
Hugs,
Stephanie
P.S. Two years ago, we replaced my camera with a Canon Power Shot- I LOVE this camera, it has all kinds of extras but is so easy to use; VERY user friendly!

~*~Patty S said...

"Real" custard flan is a gorgeous treat...but it is a bit of work as I recall.

Nothing like some company to help get things in order...altho you strike me as a pretty organized person already

I am having my second cataract surgery tomorrow...so when you post your next AB lesson I should be able to actually sit and read without having to lean in way close as I have been doing for the last 5 weeks...kinda put my back and neck out of whack

LOL I thought of you when I added the footnote and especially the "tea cup/SAUCER" part of my traveling teacup post today E ... the saucer and rose count as photo #8 ;)

Have fun and don't work too hard
oxo

Yvonne said...

Your flan sounds and looks wonderful. Flan is a very popular dish down here in south Texas, it being a Mexican dish.
Camera...well I'm going to have to get a new one too as my little Canon 'power shot' is about shot. But it has been a very good camera indeed and I've had it about 8 years. Many, many photos with that one. I'm not sure what I want next.
I try to buy organic tea also, but it's limiting. Like you said, it's only once a week. Happy tea day.

Halle said...

Oh my...not low calorie there. I don't think I've ever tried flan. Maybe I shouldn't...I might love it. Then there'd be just another thing that I'd have to say no to.

Unknown said...

I've never made a flan, but I've eaten a few made by others. Yum indeed! I can understand your need for "instant" sometimes. I've bought baklava at the store (Walmart!), knowing full well it was made with corn syrup and not honey, but I would convince myself it tasted as good!

I drink domestic black tea, so I'm not a great source for exotic teas.
I'm glad to know about the organic factor though.
Happy Tea Day!

Terrie said...

Don't ya just love being able to schedule a post and then put it out of your mind? Although a little work up front, it makes readers feel like you're still around :) Hope you have a fab time with your guest - I'm off to think about "hands".

Anonymous said...

Who could resist flan, after all, it's so creamy, so smooth, just plain delish! xox

SandeeNC said...

oh the mystery of an out of state visitor that causes you to clean your house for a whole week in preperation...the only one that could do that to me is my mom, rest in peace, as she always had "the eye" for any dust! I am going to be behind on my AB, for the very first time as I am participating in my first craft show on Saturday and I have been working on it for 2 weeks now! Wish me some luck as I am a wee bit nervous about it! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Nancy said...

Cute little tea cup and I have never tasted a flan! Sounds really good, but then I like anything sweet with my tea :)
Kimmie takes lovely photos with her little Nikon....
I would happily send you a couple of my gater clips :) just email me your addy, nanelatyahoodotca

Nancy said...

sorry, wrong email :) nanel62 at yahoo dot ca

Unknown said...

I have never made flan - but we make homemade butterscotch pudding quite often
I'm sure your tea is fine .... I really like your attitude - so "common sense"
Good luck with your camera shopping - It is always good to ask around like you are - and I hope your upcoming unpluggedness is for a happy reason (other than computer issues!)

cheers!
kimmie

Steph said...

Indeed they are complementary to each other. chinese tea after a heavy meal too...I've not tried Lapsang but I'm sure it's good..
Happy "housekeeping" and take care...

Terrie said...

Of course you can put my blog icon up - thrilled you asked....

Sandy said...

I love flan - I probably never have tasted anything as good as your homemade flan but I do love flan with a good cup of tea!
Sandy

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Elizabeth,

I must confess, I've never made flan but have had it in restaurants. It's yummy!! The one you bought at the market looks good enough to take care of a sweet tooth.

Hugs,
Kay

Darla said...

I've only had flan a few times although I liked it when I did. I'd definitely drink the rest of the tea, the idea of the smoky flavor interests me. Have a great week with your guest.

Darla

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Flan here is called Creme Caramel and it can be bought in a box like jello -- so easy to make at any time. Unfortunately, there's much in our every day world that we can't control -- we are inhaling and consuming lots of stuff we don't even know about. I was at the grocery store today and forgot to pick up my favorite organic tea. :/ Enjoy time with your guest. Best wishes, Tammy