What does 6 x 6 mean?

Question

I was reading a recipe from a Canadian site and I am not sure what the recipe meant when it called for "6 x 6 egg yolks". Since I know that the recipe is a custard I can assume that it is perhaps equivalent to 6 large egg yolks in an American recipe. Is that correct?

You must be right It must mean six whole eggs plus six yolks.

Here is a link to the recipe:

http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8337

Well, the consensus seems to be 6 whole eggs plus 6 yolks. So, I went in search of another recipes for chocolate pots de creme and it calls for six yolks only. So, I will make it with the 6 eggs and 6 yolks and then the other way and see what the result is . Thank you to all of you for trying to help me figure this out.

Answer 1

Are you sure it doesn't say 6+6 egg yolks?
So that would be 6 eggs plus 6 egg yolks. Seems a little vague.

Answer 2

As far as i know what they mean is to use 6 whole eggs and 6 additional egg yolks.

Do you have a link to the recipe?

EDIT:

hmmm it does seem odd... I read the recipe and it doesnt have any mention of egss in the recipe itself. it just mentions the yolks. I would maybe try it just using 6 egg yolks and then see what the consistancy is and add the egg is needed? Though doing that may cause the recipe not to turn out right.

I do know that Custards contain alot of egg usually and that Canadian recipes often use x in their recipes.

For example we might say "2 cups flour" and they might say "2 x cups flour"

Good Luck, let us know how it turns out.

EDIT (again)

I looked at the recipe again and it only makes 6 small cups... i think what they mean is 6 egg yolks from 6 differnt eggs.

having 6 eggs and 6 egg yolks seems like the recipe would turn out a little eggy. I dont make custards though so Im not sure.

Answer 3

I'm Canadian and am also confused. I would think it means 6 times 6 egg yolks. Wow, that's alot!
I believe this recipe is a chocolate crème brulée, I don't know how it will set.
A crème brulée for 4 people usually takes about 2 eggs plus 4 egg yolks for 1 1/2 cups creme.
I think there are too many eggs it will taste eggy even if the recipe is for 6.

Answer 4

I think they meant 6 eggs plus 6 yolks. 6 yolks don't have enough protien to firm everything else into a custard.

Answer 5

mean = ( x + x+2 + x+4 + x+6 + x+8 ) / 5 = ( 5x + 20 ) / 5 = x + 4

Answer 6

Susan, hey it's Christopher (the pest) again.......the recipe is correct, you use 6 whole eggs and 6 egg yolks......so, kiddo, you answered your own question!!! And I totally agree, that is awfully confusing, they should have been more specific and clarified when composing the written recipe.....Peace, and let us know how the chocolate custards turn out (they seem awfully rich, but what the heck, this time of year, my credo:DURING THE HOLIDAYS, ALL FOOD IS CALORIE FREE...........yeah, I wish!!!!!)

Christopher

Answer 7

It means a tray of 6 by 6 eggs means 36 eggs or three dozen