Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2.

2. Pour the cream into a saucepan. Split the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape the seeds into the cream.

3. Chop the empty pod into small pieces, and add them to the cream.

4. Bring the cream to boiling point, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for five minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, beat the sugar and egg yolks together in a large heatproof bowl until pale and fluffy.

6. Bring the cream back to boiling point. Pour it over the egg mixture, whisking continuously until thickened - this indicates that the eggs have begun to cook slightly.

7. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large jug, and then use this to fill six ramekins to about two-thirds full.

8. Place the ramekins into a large roasting tray and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up their outsides. (This is called a bain-marie.)

9. Place the bain-marie onto the centre shelf of the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the custards are just set but still a bit wobbly in the middle.

10. Remove the ramekins from the water and set aside to cool to room temperature. Chill until needed.

11. When ready to serve, sprinkle one level teaspoon of caster sugar evenly over the surface of each crème brûlée, then caramelise with a chefs' blow-torch.

12. Set aside to cool for a couple of minutes, then serve.