I always start by melting the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it turns a golden brown. Once ready, I carefully pour it into the baking dish, coating the bottom evenly.
In a mixing bowl, I whisk together eggs, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, vanilla, and salt. I make sure to mix gently to avoid bubbles, which keeps the custard silky.
I pour the custard mixture over the caramel in the baking dish. Then, I place the dish in a larger pan filled halfway with hot water for a gentle water bath. This ensures the flan cooks evenly without cracking.
After baking, I let the flan cool to room temperature. I always chill it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight chilling is best for perfect slicing.