Ramekins: Mini dishes, many talents

by Rebecca Freedman Like this article? Become a member for access to the complete article archive!
Available in a range of styles, shapes, and sizes, ramekins have lots of practical uses. Try them for baking and presenting individual pastas, molten cakes, or soufflés, or put them to work as prep bowls, for salt storage, or as serving vessels for nuts, olives, or ice cream.

The true classic: In white, these ramekins are traditional in style, but they also come in a range of bright colors. 6-ounce Emile Henry ramekins, $6.95 each at Cooking.com.
Matching baskets for serving protect your guests (and the table) from the dishes’ heat. Set of four 11-ounce “petite ramekins” with baskets, $13.95 at Surlatable.com.
Handmade in Italy and glazed in warm hues, these ramekins have a rustic, earthy charm. Set of four Vietri 6-ounce Nature’s Glory ramekins, $84 at Plumpuddingkitchen.com.
Clean and modern, these all-purpose ramekins would make a great gift for a new cook. BIA Cordon Bleu 6-ounce Oslo ramekins, $2.99 each at Chef’s Warehouse (650-553-4155).
Splashes of pastel blue, green, pink, and lavender make these whimsical hearts a great choice for spring entertaining. Set of four Le Creuset 8-ounce heart ramekins, $39.99 at Amazon.com.
With graceful lines and a wide, scalloped edge, these ramekins remind us of open flowers. Casafina 6-ounce Meridian ramekins, $7.95 each at Yvonne-estelles.com.
For offbeat style, look to these “crumpled cups.” They’re perfect for hot drinks, but they’re oven safe, too, so go ahead and bake bread pudding in them. Revol 6-1/4-ounce Crumpled Cappuccino Tumblers, from $9.39 at Cheftools.com.
We recently spied a set like this in a little French bistro, each ramekin holding a different flavor of crème brûlée. Pillivuyt 4-ounce Quartet ramekins, $7.50 each, and 15x5-1/2-inch rectangular platter, $36 (ramekins and platter sold separately) at 125west.com.
We love the dainty pattern on these Portuguese-made ramekins; they come in several other pretty colors, including an understated green and a buttery yellow. Juliska 8-ounce Berry and Thread ramekins, $11 each at Juliska.com.
Photos: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 92, pp. 22-23

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