My friend finally shares her recipe for the richest, creamiest flan in the world.
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 can coconut milk
Zest of 1 lime
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1 cup finely grated sweetened coconut
3 egg whites, beaten until stiff with an electric mixer
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Pour water halfway up in a roasting pan and put in oven to heat water (it's called a Bain Marie).
In a small sauce pan, combine water and brown sugar and cook over medium-high for about ten minutes stirring frequently, or until it turns to a rich, brown color.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk, evaporated milk and coconut milk. Stir in lime zest, vanilla and coconut. Carefully fold in egg whites.
Pour caramel mixture into a non-stick loaf pan and tip pan to evenly coat the bottom. Pour in flan mixture. Place loaf pan in the Bain Marie and bake 45 minutes, or until set. Let cool completely before loosening edges with a knife and inverting onto a platter. Serves 6 - 8.