Just a wild guess: Ramekin. Haven’t heard it before? But surely for many times now, you broke that caramel-topped heavenly crème bruleé in a pretty small dish without knowing that it is a ramekin dish. Yes, that is an example of what is a ramekin dish is.
A Ramekin dish ranges from different choices according to its use and has evolved a lot over time. Though a ramekin dish is usually known for baking crème bruleé, a famous French dessert, the ramekin dish’s versatility has made itself a basic must-have in homes, food connoisseurs, gourmet, and other food businesses.
What is a Ramekin Dish?
Let us find out more facts and other distinct features of what is a Ramekin dish:
- It is also called a soufflé dish, which refers to a small piece of vessel used as bakeware.
- Its small size is attributed to its practicality in preparing individual proportions or servings.
- There is one classic Ramekin dish, a white, cylindrical-shaped small, deep bowl with a diameter of 3-4 inches. It is made of ceramic with vertical, rounded lip, and a fluted exterior (exterior edges have many curves that alternately go in and out).
- The kind mentioned above may be common and classic, but now there is a wide array of novelty designs, colors, shapes, sizes, and textures to choose from. This is great news as you can get away with the basics and get the chance to mix and match your Ramekins soon.
- The best feature of what is a Ramekin dish is its heat-resistant design. That’s why if not ceramic, some are made out of glazed stoneware. The heat-resistant design is much more appreciated when, for example, in making a crème brulee. A blowtorch is used to caramelize the sugar on top of the dessert, and the Ramekin is tough enough to resist the heat from the direct flame.
- Some Ramekin dishes may not be heatproof as some are made of glass, cast iron, metals, and steel. These materials are not heatproof and therefore, should not be in direct contact with flame.
What is a Ramekin Dish Best Used For?
- As mentioned earlier, it is also known as a soufflé dish. From the name itself, it is best for baking soufflé, a baked dish, with egg as the base (egg yolks and egg whites are beaten together) and mixed with other ingredients that created a sweet or savory taste and served as a dessert. The egg whites in the soufflé expand, puff out, and give the soufflé its famous and attractive puffed-out shape. A Ramekin dish is exceptional in making the best soufflé.
- A Ramekin dish is a helpful aid in preparing and organizing ingredients before cooking. With its small size just enough to place minced onions, chopped garlic, or soy sauce and shallots, it prevents cross-contamination with raw meat and saves time for cleaning later on.
- If you want to stay up watching that Netflix’s most trending movie or you want to finish that last few episodes of your favorite Korean film, a Ramekin will be a great dish to place your nuts or dips.
- Another best thing about knowing what a Ramekin dish is is that you find out that not all of it is created equal. There are other common varieties of a Ramekin dish as listed below:
Cheese Pipkin
It is an earthenware that gained popularity for holding a cheese separately from other contents of a relish platter.
Oyster Cups
Other varieties of this are called mignonette or cocktail sauce. They are condiment cups usually made of ceramic, stainless steel, or glass. They are handy and practical in serving the right amounts of condiments.
French Onion Soup Crocks
This one is also a heat-resistant container that can be readily used straight from the oven to the table. It is a bit more round, deep, and has a widened lip.
Monkey Cups
These are usually used for jello and fruit salads. It has flatter and wider lips but shallow insides.
Others
For bonus ideas, here is a list of what is a Ramekin dish’s uses other than for desserts:
For Breakfast.
As the most important meal of the day, Ramekins best serve individual proportions of cereals, omelets, and fresh fruit jams. Examples of breakfast recipes to be served in Ramekin Dish are Breakfast Toast Cups, Mini Hashbrown Bakes, Chicken, and Egg Ramekins or Overnight Egg Cups.
For Entrees or Side Dishes
Some savory and delectable sides will be best served in Ramekins. Individual servings for entrees will add variety to meals. A bacon and cheese soufflé or lasagna will do.
For Condiments
Slide-in some pickles, jalapeno, mustard, or Thousand Island into a Ramekin Dish, and it’s a surefire way to delight your meals and dishes. It is also good for putting in basic condiments like salt, pepper, crushed nuts, and other sprinkles.
Conclusion
The next time you want to include practicality, durability, attractive presentation, and perfect baking of desserts, remember that this is what is a Ramekin dish is made of. Do not be tricked by the usually small size of a Ramekin dish because, just like a true diamond, it withstands the test of fire, making it beautifully worth a try. Know more about kitchen accessories.