BAVARIAN CREAM

Steps:

• This gelatin-based custard must be made several hours before you plan to serve it.
• It's great paired with cut-up fresh strawberries, or a mixture of fruit-- or with a rich butterscotch sauce.
• INSTRUCTIONS: Preparing the gelatin: Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water; stir to blend.
• Set aside to soften for 5 minutes.
• (It won't hurt to let it sit longer.) Mixing the ingredients: Put the yolks in a bowl and, using a whisk or fork, stir briskly to blend.
• Slowly add the sugar and continue to stir until well mixed.
• Cooking the custard: Pour the milk into a saucepan and place over medium-high heat.
• Stand right by the stove and watch for tiny milk bubbles to form around the edge of the pan.
• The milk should be hot, but not boiling.
• It is better to underheat than to boil.
• As long as the milk is hot it will work fine.
• Pour the yolk/sugar mixture into the hot milk, then add the softened gelatin and stir with a large spoon or whisk to blend well.
• Cook, stirring slowly, but constantly for 3 or 4 minutes.
• Tilt the pan until you can see the bottom.
• If there is a thin coat of custard on the bottom that doesn't flow as readily as the rest, it's ready.
• Remove from heat.
• Do not let the custard boil; it will be fine if you remove it too soon rather that too late.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the custard into a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or just long enough for it to begin to gel.
• It should be thick but pourable.
• This last step is the secret of a fabulous Bavarian Cream: Beat the cream only until it holds soft peaks.
• If the cream is too stiff, the dessert will be too firm.
• Fold the whipped cream into the custard.
• Spoon into a 2-quart mold or bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate several hours, to allow the dessert to gel.
• If the Bavarian Cream is in a mold, turn it out onto a plate before serving.
• Otherwise, spoon into dessert bowls.