Bananas Foster Creme Brulee - Creme Brulee Base

Method

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Separate 5 egg yolks from whites and place in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 whole egg and 1/2 c sugar and mix by hand or on low with a stand mixer (paddle attachment). Mix only until the sugar and eggs are combined, then stop.
• Over medium heat, scald 3 cups of heavy cream in a saucepan. Stir occasionally and remove from heat when the cream is just shy of boiling.
• While slowly stirring, gradually add the scalded cream to your egg and sugar mixture. Be careful to keep from adding too much too quickly as this could cook the eggs.
• Continue slowly stirring and add ~1 tsp vanilla extract. Stop stirring once the vanilla is well mixed. Evenly distribute the mixture between 6 five-ounce ramekins.
• To prepare for the water bath, arrange the ramekins in a deep baking pan. Add hot water to the pan, filling until the water line is roughly halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Be sure to keep water from getting into your mixture while you pour. Bake at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes. When finished, the creme brulee base should have a semi-set gentle giggle.
• Remove pan from oven and ramekins from water bath. Allow them to cool a bit before placing in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set the custard. This is the base of your Bananas Foster Creme Brulee. You can make your creme brulee base a day or two in advance and keep refrigerated until you're ready to finish with the bananas foster and bruleed tops.
• Slice bananas into circles that are about a quarter inch in thickness. Set aside.
• In a large pan or skillet melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir to combine.
• Add banana slices to the pan in a single, flat layer. Saute until the bananas begin to caramelize, then flip.
• Add vanilla extract and a light dusting of cinnamon. Mix, without flipping the bananas, to fully incorporate and evenly distribute.
• Carefully pour rum into the pan. Continue cooking until the rum is hot. Then, slightly tilt the pan to ignite the rum and finish off the bananas foster. When flames subside, you're ready to brulee. Note: Keep your hair and face out of the literal line of fire when igniting the rum.
• Remove the ramekins full of your creme brulee base from the refrigerator and top with an even layer of bananas from the bananas foster. Cover as evenly and completely as possible, cutting bananas as needed.
• Evenly cover the bananas in each ramekin with ~2 teaspoons of granulated sugar. Brulee with a cooking torch on low to medium heat, moving in small circles until the sugar is completely melted, caramelized, and crispy. You want the bruleed sugar to be dark brown, not completely burned. Chill for a few minutes before serving and enjoying your Bananas Foster Creme Brulee.