Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is Spain's answer to creme brulee: a silky custard infused with cinnamon and lemon zest, topped with a layer of caramelised sugar torched to a crisp amber crust just before serving. The dish originates in Catalonia and predates the French version by at least a century, with references in Catalan cookbooks dating to the 18th century. Made with cornstarch rather than cream alone, it has a lighter, fresher character that reflects Catalan cuisine's Mediterranean sensibility.