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Parmesan and paprika custards with quince toast

By: Pollyanna Coupland
Food producer, delicious.

Published: 25 Jan 23
Updated: 9 Oct 24

Parmesan and paprika custards with quince toast

With umami-rich parmesan, smoky paprika and fruity quince paste soldiers for dipping, these savoury set custards provide a simple make-ahead starter that seriously delivers on the flavour front.

After a seafood starter? Try crab pots with parmesan crisps.

Easy
January 2023

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4
Hands-on time 20 min. Oven time 45 min

With umami-rich parmesan, smoky paprika and fruity quince paste soldiers for dipping, these savoury set custards provide a simple make-ahead starter that seriously delivers on the flavour front.

After a seafood starter? Try crab pots with parmesan crisps.

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 586kcals
Fat: 42.3g (22.7g saturated)
Protein: 17.5g
Carbohydrates: 32.8g (5g sugars)
Fibre: 2.5g
Salt: 0.8g

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Ingredients

200ml whole milk
200ml double cream
50g parmesan, finely grated
½ tsp smoked paprika
6 medium free-range egg yolks
4 slices bread
80g quince paste

Specialist kit

4 small ramekins (holding approx. 200ml each)

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Method

Put the milk, cream, parmesan and paprika in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat, leave to cool slightly, then gradually whisk in the egg yolks and season with salt and pepper. Pass through a fine sieve into 4 ramekins then cover and put in the fridge to chill.
Once chilled, heat the oven to 130ºC fan/gas mark 2. Carefully put the ramekins in a deep tray. Boil the kettle then pour enough boiling water into the tray so it reaches halfway up the ramekins. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes until set, then leave to cool to room temperature.
To make the quince toasts, toast the bread then cut off the crusts. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each piece of toast in half through its thinnest side, so each slice becomes two thinner slices (giving you 8 in total). Spread half of the slices with a nice thick layer of quince paste then assemble into sandwiches and cut into finger-width soldiers. Serve with the custards.

Recipe from January 2023 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 586kcals
Fat: 42.3g (22.7g saturated)
Protein: 17.5g
Carbohydrates: 32.8g (5g sugars)
Fibre: 2.5g
Salt: 0.8g

delicious. tips

As these custards are served at room temperature, they can be made up to a day in advance. Be sure to bring them out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving. The toasts are best made fresh.