STICKY ALMOND FIG FLAN

Tis the season for figs! We are pretty bonkers for these luscious, jammy fruits. They seriously make me see things through rose-tinted glasses (ahem, pictured above). They merry ridiculously well with the equally heady flavors of rum, almond and vanilla bean -- these little flans are a cozy bed of Summertime, lovely with a cup of green tea in air-conditioned room.

These little flans are almost more fruit than custard, so they don't feel particularly sinful -- just a tad :) They sweem very British, in the sense that they're a custard delight with a scent of booze and divine figgies. I could see my London-living aunty serving them on a stormy afternoon. No matter that I'm in California having a mad-hatter tea party for one! Next time, adding a blob of whip cream, creme fraiche or even vanilla ice cream would not hurt thins in the slightest.

Sticky Almond Fig Flan
serves 5

3 tablespoons ghee, melted
1 pint figs, cut into halves and quarters
3 tablespoons honey
3 eggs
1/4 cup almond meal
1 large pinch salt
1 vanilla bean
3/4 cup coconut milk
sprinkle of lemon zest
1 tablespoon rum

Optional Garnish:
almond slivers
unsweetened coconut shreds
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400°. Melt ghee in microwave or in a pot on low. Brush 5 heat-proof tea cups with melted ghee and set aside, reserving any ghee that wasn't used in this process. Cut figs into halves and a few into quarters.

In a medium bowl, whisk honey, eggs, almond meal, salt, contents of the vanilla bean, coconut milk, lemon zest and rum together until evenly incorporated. Divide figs evenly among the 5 tea cups, pour about 1/2 cup egg mixture on top of figs. Drizzle any remaining ghee over the top of the custards. Place the tea cups onto a pan and bake for about 10 minutes.

Remove flans from oven, sprinkle toasted almonds and coconut shreds on top of semi-set custards. Put back in oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven, dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately. Best served warm but fine after a few hours at room temperature.