Custard Cups with Strega
Strega is a much-loved Italian liqueur. It has digestive qualities, and is made with fennel, mint, and saffron (the source of its yellow color), among other things — and is about 80 proof! These creamy custards are a perfect foil for the magic of Strega, which means “witch’s love potion.”
Ingredients
- Eggs - 4
- Sugar - 1/2 cup
- Vanilla Extract - 1/2 teaspoon
- Lemon zest - 1 teaspoon
- Milk - 2-1/4 cups, scalded
- Sugar - 1/2 cup
- Water - 3 tablespoons
- Strega Liqueur - 1 cup
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla until frothy and lemon colored. Add the zest and continue beating until the mixture is a smooth foam. Beating constantly, slowly add the milk. Set aside. Put the second half cup of sugar and the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook without stirring until it begins to turn caramel color. Divide the caramel among the custard cups. Add the egg-milk mixture and place the cups in a roasting pan. Fill the pan halfway to the top of the cups with hot water. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centers of the custards comes out clean. Remove and let cool until they are easy to handle.
To serve: Unmold the custards onto pretty dessert plates. Serve with small glasses of Strega.
