We tend to associate Mexican food with savory meals and spicy flavors, but we can’t forget about the sweet treats! Mexican cuisine also boasts some delicious desserts. Tres leches cake is a popular Mexican dessert, as is flan. Flan is a creamy dessert topped with caramel, and it’s the perfect conclusion to any meal. The next time you visit your favorite Mexican restaurants in Salem, don’t forget to order a dessert!
Flan is a favorite Mexican dessert because of its signature flavors and textures. Here’s how chefs at Mexican restaurants in Salem create this delightful dessert.
Cooking Techniques
- Caramelization: The caramelized sugar topping is one of flan’s most distinctive features. To make it, sugar is heated until it melts and turns a deep amber color. This process creates a slightly bitter flavor that complements the custard’s sweetness. The caramelized sugar is then poured into the baking dish and allowed to cool and harden before the custard mixture is added.
- Baking: The custard mixture, typically made with eggs, milk, and sugar, is poured over the caramelized sugar and baked in a water bath. This gentle cooking method ensures that the flan bakes evenly and prevents it from curdling. The water bath also helps create a moist and creamy texture.
- Chilling: After baking, the flan is allowed to cool completely at room temperature before being refrigerated for at least four hours or overnight. This step allows the flavors to develop and the texture to firm up.
Flavors of Flan
- Vanilla: Vanilla is the most common flavoring used in flan. Vanilla bean or extract adds a warm, sweet, and floral aroma to the custard.
- Citrus: Citrus flavors, such as orange, lemon, or lime zest, can add a bright and refreshing twist to the custard.
- Spices: Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves enhance the warmth and complexity of the flan.
- Chocolate: Chocolate flan is a popular variation that combines the richness of chocolate with the creamy texture of the custard. If you’re a chocolate lover, you have to try our chocoflan!
- Caramel: Caramel adds sweetness and complexity. Some recipes pour caramel over the top of the finished flan to highlight the caramel flavor.
Mexican Restaurants in Salem | Vallarta Tacos & Burritos
Experience the flavors of Mexican cuisine right here in Salem at Vallarta Tacos & Burritos! After enjoying the savory and spicy flavors of our signature dishes, finish your meal with something sweet. We make our desserts from recipes that have been in our family for generations.
