Creme Anglais for Dummies

Sure, no problem! I'd be happy to explain what "Creme Anglaise" means. So, imagine you're eating a delicious dessert, like a warm slice of homemade apple pie or a freshly baked chocolate lava cake. Yum! Now, think about that extra creamy and velvety sauce that you sometimes find drizzled on top. That's exactly what "Creme Anglaise" refers to!

But what exactly is this "Creme Anglaise" sauce, you might wonder...

Creme Anglaise, my friend, is a fancy term for a classic French custard sauce! It's a silky, smooth, and delicately sweet sauce that adds a luscious finishing touch to many desserts. The name itself is French, which can make it sound a bit fancy and complicated, but don't worry - it's actually quite simple to make and understand! It's called "Creme Anglaise" because in French, "creme" means "cream," and "Anglaise" means "English." So, "Creme Anglaise" literally translates to "English cream."

But how do we make this creamy goodness? Let me break it down for you...

To make "Creme Anglaise," you start by heating up a combination of milk, cream, sugar, and sometimes vanilla. You'll then gently whisk some egg yolks into this warm mixture until everything is well combined. Finally, the sauce gets cooked over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens up just enough to coat the back of a spoon. Voila! You now have yourself a homemade, velvety smooth "Creme Anglaise" sauce.

But what can you do with this delicious sauce? Oh, the possibilities are endless!

"Creme Anglaise" is often used as a versatile dessert sauce that can elevate any sweet treat it accompanies. It's commonly poured over cakes, tarts, pies, or bread puddings, adding a delightful layer of flavor and richness. Its creamy texture also makes it a fantastic base for other desserts, like ice cream, parfaits, or even custard-filled pastries like eclairs or cream puffs.

So, to sum it all up, "Creme Anglaise" is a fancy French term for a creamy, velvety custard sauce that you can pour on top of all sorts of delicious desserts to make them even more indulgent and delightful!

Now, I hope that explanation helped you understand what "Creme Anglaise" means! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask. Learning new words can be exciting, especially when they're related to delicious desserts!