10 ideas to get the most out of ramekins

The ramekin is a versatile, pretty and inexpensive utensil that many of us have at home but often only use to prepare custard or yogurt, make a soufflé or serve appetizers. As there are many and varied uses for them, Beatriz (author of To Be Gourmet ) brings us 10 ideas to make the most of ramekins . From today on, you will look at these mini-beauties with a sparkle in your eyes! I leave you with her:

I particularly like Emile Henry's kitchen utensils, not only for their quality and durability, but also for their aesthetics. The storage jar , the famous chimney-shaped salt shaker , the versatile baking trays ... Everything has a special charm.

But when I got the ramekins I had no idea of ​​the number of different uses I would give them. The initial idea, which was in the summer, was to use them to serve ice cream. I thought that since they were made of ceramic they would keep the cold much better than any other type of glass or cup, and they would even be great for eating ice cream standing up without fear of it spilling, which could happen in lower, open containers.

Following the same reasoning of maintaining temperatures, I also started using them for coffee. They are the ideal size, neither too big nor too small. Then for hot chocolate… one day a very concentrated infusion… And from there, for a lot of other things.

I have the Emile Henry No. 8 ramekins , but there are other formats that you can use for the same purposes. They come in a set of 2 (you can see them all here ), and because they are designed to last forever in the kitchen, they are a very profitable investment.

I never imagined how versatile they could be, so I'm going to share with you ten ideas to get the most out of them:

1. To serve hot chocolate, coffee or tea : serving coffee in glasses without handles is becoming more and more popular (which is the shape of the Emile Henry ramekins, especially the No. 8), but it also keeps the coffee hotter for longer because it is made of ceramic. There is a model in mocha colour that I love and I use it a lot with guests. It always surprises them and they ask me where they can find it.

2. To serve pasta or breadsticks: One day I used them to serve “Tolosa cigarettes” (butter cigarettes) at dessert time or some wafers to accompany coffee. And if we want to serve pasta with the typical breadsticks and butter, I break them in half and serve them in these containers as well.

3. If you make your own jams , they are great for serving two or three flavours for breakfast or a snack. They have that “homemade” feel that gives them a special charm.

4. To present simple desserts: ramekins are great for presenting yogurts (how delicious and beautiful a yogurt with raspberries looks presented there!), custards or rice pudding.

5. As a container , in the broad sense that this implies: At home we use them to store the blue cheese that crumbles easily, and we use it from there. It is also perfect for storing leftover ingredients from a preparation, or it is great as a container to serve part of a snack (some peanuts or other nuts, some cheese cubes or olives...).

6. To present ice creams , as we said at the beginning… They keep them cold for longer because they are made of ceramic. And you can put some mini Oreos, some marshmallows, etc. as toppings. My children customize them as if they were the little cups from those frozen yogurt shops that we all know. They can also go in the freezer, so you can make your own ice creams in them, adding yogurt and straight to the fridge.

7. To bring mayonnaise, pink sauce or any other sauce to the table. And if it is a long table or you offer several sauces at the same time, serve each one in several small glasses so that they are within reach of all diners. Nothing prevents you from using the ramekins for hot sauces too.

8. As small pots to plant herbs and decorate in the kitchen. Can you imagine them? I think it's a great idea, a friend has 6 in her kitchen, in a row, with thyme, rosemary, coriander... and it looks perfect. Of course, you have to be careful with the water because it doesn't drain from below, so you have to put very little.

9. They can be used to make mug cakes , the typical sponge cakes in glasses that children and adults love too; it is a very original way of presenting a sponge cake or a coulant. Just pour the batter (up to ¾ of the glass, because it rises) and bake as usual until the icing needle comes out clean.

10. For a small cream as a starter in a long menu, garnished with roe or croutons, and also for a small gazpacho in summer topped with extra virgin olive oil.

And these are my ten ideas, but I'm sure that while you've been reading you've come up with some more, so if you share them in the comments, great! And then we'll add them to our list and enjoy them even more.

NOTE: Ramekins are ceramic utensils or containers that can be used in the oven, refrigerator and microwave and come in various sizes and shapes, although they are usually round and not very high. What sets Emile Henry's ramekins apart from the rest is the quality of the ceramic: Emile Henry makes them from Burgundy clay (with great qualities) and fires it at over 2000 ºC; it has a collection of beautiful ramekins in a variety of colours and shapes, and offers a 10-year guarantee.