How to make Tocinillo de cielo (Fat from heaven)

Serves 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes, plus chilling

Ingredients

For the caramel

Method

  1. Find a small ovenproof dish for this dessert – it’s very sweet so you only make it in small quantities.
  2. Put the sugar and water for the caramel into the dish and place over a medium heat until it turns to caramel and is a lovely golden colour.
  3. Swirl the caramel all over the bottom of the dish and a little up the sides.
  4. Set aside.
  5. Put the sugar, water and lemon zest into a small pan over a medium heat. When it comes to the boil, let it bubble for a further 3 minutes. Take off the heat and remove and discard the lemon zest.
  6. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  7. Very gently whisk together the egg yolks with the whole egg – you do not want to create any froth.
  8. Pour the warm syrup into the egg mixture in a thin, steady stream, whisking as you do so. Keep whisking until it is completely incorporated.
  9. Pour this mixture into the coated caramel–coated dish and place the dish inside a deep-sided roasting tin. Pour in a couple of fingers’ depth of cold water (to create a bain marie) and put the whole thing in a cold oven.
  10. Turn the temperature to 160°C/gas mark 3 and cook for 25 minutes or until set. Take care not to overcook – it should still have a slight wobble.
  11. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving. Run the point of a knife around the edge of the dish and then turn out on to a plate. Do not eat too much of this as it is extremely calorific, but it is a real treat.