Creamy Parmesan Flans

From BBC Food's 'Rachel's Favourite Foods'. They looked so simple, few ingredients, yet tasty and elegant. Can't wait to try!

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup milk
• 1  cup  cream
• 2  bay leaves
• 1  garlic clove, whole
• 4  eggs
• 2  egg yolks
• 1  cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1  pinch salt
• 1  pinch black pepper
• 1  cup rocket, drizzled with (optional)
•  olive oil, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Bring the milk and cream to a bubble (do not boil).
2. Add bay leaves and garlic, turn off heat, place lid on saucepan, and leave to infuse (for approximately 1/2 hour or longer).
3. Whisk together the eggs and egg yolks.
4. Pour milk mixture over eggs very slowly while whisking.
5. Strain through a sieve (this removes any left over unconstituted egg "bits" and makes for a smoother, glossier end-product).
6. Add grated parmesan and salt and pepper.
7. Pour into 4 individual ramekin dishes and place in a bain-marie (see note below).
8. Bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes until set at the edges but still slightly "jiggly" at the centres.
9. Upend onto serving plates and serve with a side garnish of olive oil-dressed rocket leaves.
10. Note: For our beginner cooks, place the ramekins in another container into which you can pour hot water such that the water comes up to about halfway up the ramekin dishes.