Definition

Noun: 1. A small, individual-sized baking dish: A ramekin is a small, heatproof dish, typically round, used for baking and serving a single portion of food. 2. The food baked in such a dish: A ramekin can also refer to the food itself, especially a savory baked dish like a cheese custard or soufflé, that is prepared and served in this type of dish.

Examples

• As a dish/container:
  • She placed the custard mixture into six buttered ramekins before baking.
  • The crème brûlée was served in a ceramic ramekin.
• As the food itself:
  • For the appetizer, we had a delicious cheese ramekin.
  • The menu featured a crab and artichoke ramekin.

Advanced Usage

• Culinary Technique: Ramekins are essential in professional and home kitchens for preparing and presenting individual portions. This ensures even cooking and elegant presentation for dishes like soufflés, pot de crème, molten lava cakes, and savory custards.
• Material: Traditionally made of ceramic or porcelain, modern ramekins can also be made of oven-safe glass or silicone.

Variants and Related Words

• Ramequin: An alternative, less common spelling of the word.
• Custard cup: A general term for a similar small dish often used for the same purposes, though typically not as specifically associated with formal presentation.

Synonyms

• Baking cup
• Soufflé dish (specifically for taller ramekins used for soufflés)

Notes on Meaning

The dual meaning of "ramekin" (both the container and its contents) is a common example of metonymy, where the name of one thing is used to refer to something closely associated with it. In a restaurant context, "a ramekin" on a menu almost always refers to the food item, not the empty dish.

Noun

1. a small fireproof dish used for baking and serving individual portions
2. a cheese dish made with egg and bread crumbs that is baked and served in individual fireproof dishes