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Ovos moles de Aveiro
Egg-yolk and sugar cream
Ovos moles de Aveiro: golden egg-yolk and sugar cream, spooned into pots or rice-wafer shells
Nuns in Aveiro's convents used leftover yolks, after the whites had starched their habits, to make this soft, intensely sweet cream, and the town's shops now sell it in painted wooden barrels or wrapped in thin wafer shaped like shells and fish. Visitors buy boxes at the railway station and along the canals where the moliceiro boats run. Only yolks, sugar and water go in, cooked slowly until thick and shiny. Chef's tip: cool the syrup slightly before adding the yolks and cook over the lowest heat, as a common mistake is hurrying it and ending up with sweet scrambled egg.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 9 oz granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 10 egg yolksstrained through a sieve
- 8 wafer sheets (hóstia) or shell moulds (optional)for shaping, optional
- 2 tbsp sugar syrup for sealing (optional)1 tbsp sugar boiled with 1 tbsp water, if using wafers
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Boil the 9 oz granulated sugar and ½ cup water in a heavy pan without stirring for 5–6 minutes, until the syrup reaches 225°F, when a drop forms a fine thread between finger and thumb. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.
16 minStep 2: Whisk a few spoonfuls of the warm syrup into the 10 egg yolks, then pour the yolks into the pan, stirring constantly.
2 minStep 3: Set the pan over the lowest heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon, scraping the base, for 10–15 minutes, until the cream is thick, glossy and leaves a trail, and has reached at least 167°F. It must never bubble.
15 minStep 4: Pour into a bowl, cover the surface with cling film and cool completely; it thickens further as it cools.
30 minStep 5: Serve in small pots or ramekins with a teaspoon. If using 8 wafer sheets (hóstia) or shell moulds, fill the shell halves, seal the edges with a little 2 tbsp sugar syrup for sealing and trim with scissors. Keep refrigerated and eat within 4 days.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ovos moles de Aveiro take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of granulated sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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