Parmesan Flans with Tomatoes and Basil

Ingredients

• 0.1 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 4 large egg whites lightly beaten
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 0.3 cup basil fresh thinly sliced
• 1 cup milk 1% low-fat
• 3 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese finely grated
• 1 Dash pepper black freshly ground
• 0.1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 Dash salt 
• 2 cups tomatoes seeded chopped

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• knife
• whisk
• ramekin
• baking pan
• spatula

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 37
2. Coat 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with cooking spray.
3. Place 3 tablespoons flour in a medium bowl. Gradually add milk to bowl, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended.
4. Add egg whites and eggs; stir well.
5. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; stir well. Divide mixture evenly among prepared custard cups.
6. Place custard cups in a 9-inch square baking pan; add hot water to the pan to a depth of 1 inch.
7. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until puffy and set.
8. Combine tomato, dash of salt, and dash of pepper in a medium bowl. Loosen edges of flans with a knife or rubber spatula.
9. Place a plate, upside down, on top of each cup; invert onto plates. Spoon 1/2 cup tomato mixture over each flan. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon basil.
10. Wine note: These scrumptious flans take much of their savoriness from the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Because the cheese has a nutty/salty flavor, it pairs well with an earthy light red. Traditionally, Chianti would fill this bill, but for a more modern twist, try a California pinot noir instead. Pinot is an all-around winner with most hard cheeses. A favorite: Saintsbury 2006 Pinot Noir from Carneros, California, about $ Karen MacNeil