Persimmon Flan

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 ripe persimmons, peeled and quartered (about 10 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
• 3 large egg whites
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 24 thin slices peeled ripe persimmon (about 4 persimmons)

Preparation

1. Combine 1 cup sugar and water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until sugar dissolves; stir as needed to dissolve sugar evenly. Cook 9 minutes or until golden. Immediately pour into a 9-inch round cake pan, tipping quickly until sugar coats bottom of pan.
2. Place persimmon quarters in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl once.
3. Preheat oven to 350°.
4. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and flour. Beat cream cheese at medium speed of a mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture; beat until well-blended. Add egg whites and eggs; beat well. Gradually add milk and 1/2 cup persimmon puree; beat well. Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Place cake pan in a broiler pan; add hot water to broiler pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 350° for 1 1/2 hours or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cake pan from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.
5. Loosen edges of flan with a knife or rubber spatula. Place a serving plate, upside down, on top of pan; invert flan onto plate. Drizzle any remaining caramelized syrup over flan. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds; garnish with persimmon slices.