Vanilla Custard Recipe No Cornstarch

BASIC VANILLA CUSTARD

Steps:

• Have eggs ready in a bowl, and set aside where it will be within reach.
• Using a whisk, combine milk, sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium heat on stovetop. Allow milk to scald (heat to the point when tiny bubbles form around edges of pan). Whisk occasionally to prevent cornstarch from clumping on bottom edges of pan.
• Remove milk mixture from heat, preferably to a burner that's turned off.
• Mix about 2 tablespoons of scalded milk mixture into eggs using whisk, then introduce eggs into milk mixture in a slow stream, whisking milk mixture constantly.
• Immediately return pan to heat and whisk gently until custard thickens, another two or three minutes. Do not allow to boil. (If you find that you have egg white strands in custard, feel free to pass it through a fine-mesh sieve into a different bowl now.)
• Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla.

CUSTARD (AKA CREME ANGLAISE)

Steps:

• Using a small knife, cut a slit down the length of the vanilla bean then scrape out seeds (see video).
• Place cream, milk and vanilla seeds + vanilla bean into a small saucepan over medium heat. When it just comes to simmer, remove and cool for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place yolks and sugar in a bowl. Whisk for 2 minutes until it becomes a bit pale.
• Remove vanilla pod from milk and discard.
• While whisking, SLOWLY pour milk into the eggs. Then pour it back into the saucepan.
• Return to low heat (can use medium low if on electric). Whisk regularly for first 3 minutes, then pretty much constantly for the next 5 minutes, or until the custard coats the back of a spoon. You should be able to draw a path (see video).
• Remove from heat.
• Optional: strain to make extra silky smooth.
• Keeps for 3 days in the fridge. Custard will thicken slightly more as it cools to room temperature. Do not freeze. See note 3 for suggested uses.

VANILLA CUSTARD PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup melted butter in a bowl; press mixture into a 9-inch pie dish to form a crust.
• Bake in preheated oven until firm, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Whisk milk, 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes, then add egg yolks while continuously stirring. Continue to cook and stir until thickened, about 1 minute more, and remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and vanilla extract. Allow vanilla mixture to cool for 10 minutes before pouring into prepared crust. Let pie come to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Beat egg whites in a glass or metal bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the meringue will form sharp peaks. Spread meringue over vanilla pudding.
• Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate for about 3 hours before serving.

OLD-FASHIONED CORN STARCH CUSTARD (PUDDING)

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler, mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt
• Add the cold milk to the cornstarch mixture, set aside
• In another saucepan, scald 2 cups milk; slowly add to cold milk mixture
• Cook in the top of a double boiler stirring until thick
• Cover and cook 15 - 20 minutes
• Add vanilla, stir in well.
• Pour into large dish or in divided dishes. Placing plastic wrap directly on the surface while cooking prevents a skin from forming. Serve slightly warm or chill.

CUSTARD PUDDING

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar & cornstarch.
• Slowly whisk in the milk & egg yolks.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thickened. (it will thicken more as it cools)
• Pour into serving cups and let stand to cool or refrigerate, UNDISTURBED, until it's set - about an hour.

VANILLA CUSTARD

Steps:

• Heat milk in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
• Meanwhile, whisk together yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add hot milk to egg mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly, then pour custard back into saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and registers 170°F (do not let boil). Immediately strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter and vanilla. Chill custard, its surface covered with parchment paper (to prevent a skin from forming), until cold, 2 to 3 hours.