Cuban Flan

Ingredients

 * 1½ cups sugar
 * 6 egg yolks
 * 3 egg whites
 * 2 cups milk
 * 1 tsp vanilla
 * the peel of 1 lemon
 * 1 cinnamon stick
 * ¼ tsp salt
 * ¼ cup water

Directions

 * 1) Prepare a caramel by adding the ¼ cup of water to ¾ cups of sugar in a small saucepan over medium to low heat.
 * 2) Stir while cooking until the sugar starts melting.
 * 3) Let it simmer.
 * 4) Use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash the sides of the pan free of granular sugar.
 * 5) When sugar starts to thicken and turn brown remove from heat and add 2 cubes of ice to stop the cooking process, being very careful not to get burned with any splattering that may occur.
 * 6) Coat a warm baking dish or round mold by pouring the caramel and swirl it around the sides and bottom.
 * 7) Put the coated mold aside( by the way the mold should be 9 inches in diameter).
 * 8) Now comes the good part.
 * 9) In a saucepan bring to a boil the milk with the lemon peel, cinnamon stick and salt.
 * 10) When the mixtures starts to boil remove from heat and let it cool a little bit.
 * 11) In a medium bowl beat lightly the egg yolks, egg whites, vanilla and sugar until well mixed.
 * 12) Pour into the bowl the slightly cooled milk and strain the egg and milk mixture into the caramel coated mold.