Title: Plain Flan
Categories: Flan Dessert
Yield: 8 Servings

6	lg	Eggs
6	lg	Egg yolks
2 1/2	c	Sugar
2	ts	Vanilla extract
2	c	Half-and-half
1		Vanilla bean
CONDENSED MILK
6	c	Nonfat milk
5	tb	Sugar
CARAMEL
2	c	Sugar
1 1/4	c	Water

Condensed milk: In heavy saucepan pour milk and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar and continue simmering 10 to 15 minutes, or until milk has reduced to 3 cups. Strain. Milk can be refrigerated for up to one week.

Caramel: In medium-sized saucepan combine sugar and 1/2 cup of the water. Use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wash down any sugar granules from the pot's sides. Cook over a moderate heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until the color is dark brown and the mixture has the distinctive fragrance of caramel, about 10 to 15 minutes. Pour caramel into a 9-inch round cake pan, coating the bottom and the sides, some caramel will be left over. Swirl to coat evenly. Slowly and carefully add the remaining 3/4 cup of water to the caramel left in the saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over moderate heat until the caramel dissolves, about 5 minutes. Occasionally stir and brush down the sides with the pastry brush dipped in cold water to prevent crystallization. Set this caramel sauce aside to chill until serving time.

Prepare the caramel and coat a 9-inch round cake pan, reserving the extra caramel sauce in the refrigerator as directed above. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large mixing bowl gently whisk together eggs, egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract and half-and-half. Whisk together without incorporating any air. In saucepan pour condensed milk. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and, using tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds into the milk. Add the bean and bring to a boil. Once milk has reached a boil, pour into egg mixture, whisking continuously, until fully combined. Pass through a strainer into the caramel coated cake pan. Place inside a large roasting pan and pour hot tap water into the roasting pan until it rises halfway up the sides of the flan. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the center feels firm when pressed. Set aside to cool in the pan of water. Once cool, remove from the water bath, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or overnight. To serve, run a knife along the inside of the pan and gently press the center of the bottom to loosen. Cover with a platter, invert and lift off the pan. Excess caramel can be drained from the cake pan and added to the reserved caramel sauce. Cut in wedges and serve topped with cold caramel sauce.

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