AUNT JUNE'S BOILED CUSTARD

Aunt June's Boiled Custard image

Yield serves 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 6

6 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 large egg yolks

Steps:

Heat the milk, cream, and vanilla bean and reserved seeds in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat just until scalded (just before the boiling point). Remove from the heat, add the sugar and salt, and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Discard the vanilla bean.
Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl and whisk to mix. Slowly whisk about 2 cups of the milk mixture into the eggs to temper the eggs. Whisk the egg mixture back into the pan with the remaining milk mixture.
Place over very low heat and cook, whisking constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes longer, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, or for up to 3 days. Serve chilled.
Sara's Swaps
Let this easy recipe do double duty around the holidays and use it to make eggnog in addition to custard. When the custard comes off the heat, stir in bourbon to taste and let cool. Meanwhile, place 6 large egg whites in a glass or metal bowl and beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Add 1 cup heavy cream whipped to soft peaks and lightly sweetened. Gently fold the egg whites into the custard and serve chilled, topped with freshly grated nutmeg and more lightly sweetened whipped cream.