Lemon Custard Puddings With Honey Anglaise

Step 1: To make the puddings, position the rack in the centre of the oven and preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan forced).

Step 2: Coat 4 1 cup ramekins with the butter and line a 33cm x 22cm x 5 cm baking dish with 2 paper towels and place the ramekins in the dish, the towels will prevent the dishes from moving around when transferred to the oven.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and zest until creamy and pale yellow and then whisk in the flour, then whisk in the milk and lemon juice.

Step 4: Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and on medium speed, beat the egg whites in the mixer bowl for 2 minutes or until frothy and then add the salt, increase the speed to medium high and beat for about 30 seconds or until soft peaks form when the beaters are lifts.

Step 5: Using a whisk, gently fold the egg whites into the lemon butter and then fold in the almonds.

Step 6: The batter will be airy and loose, divide the batter equally among the prepared ramekins.

Step 7: Add enough boiling water to the baking dish to come halfway up the side of the ramekins.

Step 8: Carefully transfer the dish to the oven and bake the pudding for about 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and then carefully remove the pudding from the water bath and set them on a tea towel to cool for 2 minutes before serving.

Step 9: Meanwhile while the pudding are cooking, to make the anglaise, warm the milk in a heavy based small saucepan over medium heat until it is steaming but not simmering.

Step 10: In a medium bowl, whisk the yolks and honey to blend.

Step 11: Slowly pour half of the hot milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly and whisk the yolk mixture into the remaining hot milk in the pan.

Step 12: Return the saucepan to a medium low heat and stir the custard constantly with a silicone spatula for 5 minutes or until it thickens enough to coat a spoon, do not allow the custard to simmer or it will curdle.

Step 13: Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a small glass bowl, then set it over another bowl of iced water and stir until the custard is cool.

Step 14: Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 15: To serve dust the hot puddings with icing sugar and then serve with the anglaise.