Custard Aka Creme Anglaise Food

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.

CRèME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Combine milk and cream in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring milk mixture to simmer. Remove from heat.
• Whisk egg yolks and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into yolk mixture. Return custard to saucepan. Stir over low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 5 minutes (do not boil). Strain sauce into bowl. Cover and chill. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)

CREME ANGLAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk egg yolks, cream, sugar, brandy-based orange liqueur, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan until smooth.
• Place saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula scraping the bottom, until the mixture is hot and thickens slightly, and a thermometer reaches 180 degrees F (82 degrees C), 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat, strain to remove any over-cooked particles of egg, and allow cool.

CREME ANGLAISE (VANILLA CUSTARD SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a 2-quart heavy saucepan bring 2 cups of the milk, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and the scraped vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Slowly pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly, into the egg yolk-sugar mixture. (Do not pour the entire yolk-sugar mixture into the boiling milk mixture, as it will curdle the eggs.) Whisk in the remaining milk. Pour the milk-yolk mixture into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. Strain the mixture through a fine wire sieve into a heat--proof bowl. Place the sauce in an ice bath. When cool, transfer the sauce to a bowl. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator, until ready to use. Sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days if well sealed.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH CUSTARD (CREME ANGLAIS)

Steps:

• Put the cream and the sugar in a pan.
• Slice the vanilla pod lengthways with a very sharp knife. Scrape out the seeds (they are dust-like black specks) and put these in the pan. Roughly chop the seed pod into inch-long chunks and put in the pan, too.
• Bring to the boil, then simmer for five minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the egg yolks in a bowl and whisk slightly to break up.
• When the cream is ready, bring back to the boil briefly then quickly pour over the eggs, whisking as you do it. It is very important to keep whisking at this stage, otherwise the eggs will cook before mixing with the cream. Continue to whisk until the mixture starts to thicken, indicating that the eggs are cooked.
• If this should not happen (sometimes it doesn't if my kitchen is too cold), then place back on the heat and cook very gently, stirring all the time, until it thickens.
• Strain through a fine sieve to remove the bits of vanilla pod (you will still see the flecks of vanilla seeds in the mixture) and serve.

CREME ANGLAISE ( VANILLA CUSTARD SAUCE)

Steps:

• Pour the milk and cream into to medium-sized saucepan.
• If using vanilla bean, scrape the seeds into the pan and then add the bean itself.
• Heat the milk until bubbles appear around the edge.
• Remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 15 minutes to let the milk absorb the vanilla.
• Remove and discard the bean.
• Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and vanilla extract, if using, until light and foamy, about 3 minutes.
• Starting with a few tablespoons, very gradually stir in the hot milk.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard starts to thicken slightly.
• Be very careful not to let the custard come to a boil or it will curdle.
• Allow the custard to cool completely and refrigerate.
• Variation: Flavor your custard with the grated zest of 1/2 lemon or orange instead of the vanilla.
• Or add a TBS or so of Grand Marnier, kirsch, or Kahlua to the finish custard.