Lemon Anise Flan Recipes

Steps:

• Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Quickly pour caramel into eight 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat bottom. Transfer ramekins to 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine whole milk, aniseed, cinnamon stick and lemon peel in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 45 minutes.
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Pour milk mixture into large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and whisk to blend. Strain egg mixture into another large bowl. Pour custard into prepared ramekins, dividing equally. Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Bake flans until center is gently set, about 35 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Run knife around 1 flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently. Lift off ramekin, allowing syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans.

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly butter large nonstick cookie sheet. Blend first 5 ingredients in processor 1 minute. Using electric mixer, cream butter in medium bowl until light. Gradually beat in sugar mixture, egg whites and vanilla. Add flour and beat until combined.
• Drop 1 teaspoon batter onto prepared cookie sheet. Using back of spoon, spread into 3-inch round. Repeat 5 more times, spacing cookies evenly. Bake until cookies are golden brown on edges, about 5 minutes.
• Immediately run tip of small knife under edge of 1 cookie. Using fingertips, pick up cookie at lifted edge and turn over onto work surface. Working quickly, roll cookie around handle of wooden spoon, pressing cookie against handle as you roll. Slide cookie off handle. Repeat rolling with remaining cookies on sheet, returning sheet briefly to oven if cookies begin to harden.
• Rinse cookie sheet under cold water. Dry with towel. Lightly butter cookie sheet. Repeat making cookies with remaining batter in batches, rinsing, drying and buttering sheet between each batch. Cool cookies. (Can be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Transfer to airtight container; store at room temperature.)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add oil and extracts; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture. Beat in lemon zest and aniseed. , Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a 12x2-in. rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden and tops begin to crack. Carefully remove to wire racks; cool for 5 minutes. , Transfer to a cutting board; cut with a serrated knife into scant 3/4-in. slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 5 minutes. Turn and bake 5-7 minutes longer or until firm and golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Blend juice, sugar, and anise seeds in a blender until seeds are finely ground, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add vodka or water and enough ice to fill blender, then blend until smooth. Serve immediately.