Portuguese Crème Caramel

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C)

Grease 12 ramekins with melted butter or margarine

Scald the milk

While this is heating up, melt the sugar in a saucepan until it forms a golden syrup

Pour the syrup into the hot milk and stir over low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth

Beat the egg yolks until slightly frothy and slowly pour in the warm milk, whisking constantly

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and divide among the prepared ramekins, placed in a baking dish lined with parchment paper

Fill the baking dish with hot water to about halfway up the ramekins

Bake the flans for 20 minutes or until firm

Remove from the oven and let cool

Chill in the refrigerator and unmold just before serving.