Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Special equipment needed:
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Fine mesh strainer
- Heatproof bowl
- Plastic wrap
Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
2. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth.
3. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
4. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Strain the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove any lumps.
7. Cover the custard with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
8. Chill the custard in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until completely cooled.
- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5-7 minutes
Temperature:
- Medium heat
Serving size:
- Makes about 2 cups of custard sauce
Nutritional information:
- Calories: 150 per 1/4 cup serving
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 4g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Whole milk can be substituted with 2% or skim milk.
- Granulated sugar can be substituted with honey or maple syrup.
- Cornstarch can be substituted with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
Variations:
- Chocolate Custard Sauce: Add 1/2 cup of chopped chocolate to the custard mixture before cooking.
- Coconut Custard Sauce: Substitute 1 cup of coconut milk for 1 cup of whole milk.
- Lemon Custard Sauce: Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the custard mixture before cooking.
Tips and tricks:
- Whisk constantly while cooking to prevent lumps from forming.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to remove any lumps or cooked egg bits.
- Chill the custard completely before serving for the best texture.
Storage instructions:
- Store the custard sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating instructions:
- To reheat the custard sauce, place it in a heatproof bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the custard sauce drizzled over fresh fruit or cake.
- Use it as a dip for cookies or biscotti.
- Pour it over ice cream or pancakes.
Garnishes:
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
Pairings:
- Fresh fruit
- Pound cake
- Shortbread cookies
Suggested side dishes:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Biscotti
- Pound cake
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the custard sauce is too thin, cook it for a few more minutes until it thickens.
- If the custard sauce is too thick, whisk in a little more milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the custard sauce to at least 160°F to ensure that the eggs are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Food history:
- Custard sauce has been a popular dessert topping since the Middle Ages.
Flavor profiles:
- Creamy
- Sweet
- Vanilla
Serving suggestions:
- Serve the custard sauce warm or chilled.
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