..Whew! What a week this has been. Some really nice things are happening to me and my little blog these days. I’m not running around dodging the paparazzi or anything, but I am pretty excited about my news.
First of all, yours truly has been invited to be a contributing author for the Well Fed Network. WFN is a popular stop among foodies. It is a compilation of 14 food and drink related blogs, focusing on providing high quality and informative topical content. The WFN is the brainchild of Cate O’Malley of Sweetnicks, and she is the managing editor of the network.
I will be writing for two of their excellent sites, The Cook’s Kitchen and Paper Palate. As a matter of fact, three of my articles have already been published here, here and here! I can’t tell you how happy I am to be a part of the Well Fed Network!
As if that wasn’t enough, one of my photos has been chosen as Slashfood’sDaily Food Porn. OMG!!! Can you stand it? Last night, when I had my first chance of the day to breathe, I clicked on the site for my daily “Slashfood fix”. I was mindlessly scrolling down the page, when I saw a picture that looked familiar. “I took a shot just like that.”, I said to myself………
HUH! Wait a minute! THAT IS MY PICTURE!!! HOLY #&*#! I’M FOOD PORN!
I almost fell off my chair. Then, I did a little happy dance around the room. I could have sworn I had wings on my feet. I think I may have even hit a high C or two!
Now, this may not mean that much to a lot of you, but the whole picture taking thing has been my greatest challenge since starting this blog. It wasn’t long ago that I wrote this post here, where I shared (ranted, actually) my complete and total frustration over my photography skills. I was ready to give up. Thankfully, several of you were so helpful and encouraging with your comments, particularly Helen, Jen and Jaden, and I decided to persevere. So yes, for me, this is a Very. Big. Deal! Here is a little token of my thanks, ladies.
Of course, I had to celebrate such a momentous week. What better way to do this than with a sticky, gooey, creamy, chewy dessert! This flan recipe was given to me by my aunt many, many years ago. It is the most requested dessert at all of our family gatherings. It is truly decadent. I adore it and I hope you will too.
Fantabulous Flan
- 1 cup plus 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup assorted tropical fruits, diced into small bits for garnish
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- For the Caramel: Combine sugar and water in medium, deep, heavy-duty saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, and boil, without stirring, until caramel is a medium brown color, about 10-15 minutes, depending on your stove.
- Quickly pour the caramel over bottom and sides of 12 six-ounce custard cups or a flan mold. If the caramel hardens, soften it up a minute over low heat.
- For the flan: Combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, 3 tbsp. sugar, cornstarch, eggs and vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared cups or mold and set in a large roasting or baking pan.
- Pour hot water in the pan until it is about 1 inch deep. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for about 30 minutes. Chill for several hours or overnight.
- To unmold, run a sharp knife around the rims and gently shake to loosen. Invert onto your serving plates.
Filed Under: Baking, Custards and Puddings, Desserts, Ethnic, Kudos, Latin and Spanish, Recipes, Well Fed Network
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On January 19, 2008 at 6:44pm, SteamyKitchen said...
awww…thanks honey! you totally deserve it! congrats on everything. And I saw you were published on Divine Caroline as well.
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
On January 19, 2008 at 7:03pm, Tartelette said...
Congratulations on the writting and the picture! Yeah!!! I knew you had it in you. We are all here for each other, well, that’s the way I see it anyway. Blogging is a never ending way to push yourself, in writing, picture taking, friendships, etc…
Remember: “Go Susan - Go!!”
On January 19, 2008 at 9:23pm, Jen Yu said...
AWESOME! Rock it, woman. I think you just needed a little confidence in yourself and look at what came of it. I am so proud of you and I think you’re just getting warmed up here. Your photos are really looking fabulous. I knew you could do it. You can do ANYTHING. xxoo
On January 19, 2008 at 9:42pm, Cakespy said...
Congrats on being food porn! It’s a great pic so of course deserved…just the beginning!
On January 19, 2008 at 11:32pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Jaden, Helen & Jen- Thank you all so much! You guys are my heroes!
Cakespy- Thanks! I hope that this means my slump is over. I visited your site the other day. I loved it!
On January 21, 2008 at 9:29am, RecipeGirl said...
Isn’t it great when people are talking about you and your efforts! True joy for such hard work… people like you… they really like you
Nice job on your blog- I’ve added you to my faves and will check in often!
Lori
http://TheRecipeGirl.blogspot.com
On January 21, 2008 at 10:09am, White on Rice Couple said...
We’re happy, happy, happy for you! And your flan looks, yummy, yummy, yummy! We’ll me making your flan soon for our next party!
On January 21, 2008 at 7:24pm, Susan from Food Blogga said...
Woo-hoo! I’m so happy for you, Susan. The picture was beautiful. Just be careful how you announce the good news to your parents. The phrases “I’m a winner” and “food porn” could send them into shock. 😉
On January 21, 2008 at 8:50pm, Flanboyant Eats said...
hi there!! congrats!!!
just read ur bio too! We have so much in common: pro musician, cooks, law profession in previous life! (LOL) and love to eat!
Glad I found your page! I’ll be back
On January 22, 2008 at 12:27am, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Lori- Thank you very much! It is nice to be noticed. I’m enjoying it while it lasts! 😉
WoR Couple- Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I’m glad you like the flan. I hope guests do too!
Susan- Thank you so much! I broke it to them gently! My daughter thinks it’s the coolest thing. She’s been on the phone telling her friends that her mom is “food porn”! I think she just likes saying it. 😮
Flanboyant- Thanks! Wow, I guess we do have a lot in common. I’m glad you found me too. What kind of music?
On January 22, 2008 at 11:32am, Cookie baker Lynn said...
Congratulations! Beautiful pictures.
On January 22, 2008 at 10:27pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Lynn- Thanks! I’m glad you like them.
On December 25, 2010 at 7:22pm, MC said...
The recipe here differs from the one for pumpkin flan. I thought the the pumpkin one was just a modification of this one…
Is it 1/2 c. of water for the caramel, or 1/4 cup?
Also, do you use 4 or 5 eggs? Thanks so much, looking forward to trying this?