Chef Big DA high-protein, keto-friendly reimagining of the French classic, cold-smoked over cherry wood and finished with a torch-fired 'bark' that would make any brisket jealous.
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare a water bath by placing a large roasting pan on the middle rack.
In a heavy-bottomed copper saucier, combine heavy cream and the scraped vanilla bean. Heat over medium-low until it reaches a gentle simmer—do not let it boil. Remove from heat.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1/4 cup of the monk fruit sweetener and salt until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened.
Slowly temper the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to ensure you don't scramble the eggs. Strain through a fine-mesh chinois into a clean pitcher.
Pour the custard into four 6-ounce ramekins. Place the ramekins into the roasting pan and carefully fill the pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
Bake until the edges are set but the centers still jiggle slightly. This usually takes about 35-40 minutes. Remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, place the ramekins in a cold smoker. Using cherry wood, cold-smoke the custards for 20 minutes to infuse the fat with a delicate, smoky aroma. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Keep the smoker temperature below 80°F to avoid melting the custard.
Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining monk fruit sweetener evenly over the tops. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sweetener until it forms a dark, glass-like 'bark'. Let sit for 2 minutes to harden.
The key to this dish is the temperature gradient. You want the custard just barely set—wobbling like a nervous sous-chef—while the 'bark' on top provides that satisfying crack. The cold-smoking process adds a layer of complexity that tames the sweetness of the monk fruit. Stick to the macros, keep the smoke clean, and for the love of all things culinary, do not over-torch the top. Inspired by the classic French technique with a heavy pitmaster influence.
Nutrition data is estimated and may not be fully accurate. This is not medical advice — consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
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