Vanilla Bean Pudding
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 TBSP. cornstarch
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups cream
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP butter
In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and salt. Whisk vigorously for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth, light yellow, and falls in ribbons from the whisk.
Mix the milk and cream in a saucepan. (You can also use 3 cups of half-and-half instead of the milk and cream. You can use 3 cups of whole milk, and not use any cream, but the final pudding won't be as thick and rich.) Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape or squeeze the caviar into the milk mixture. Add the split vanilla bean pod to the milk. Heat the milk and vanilla bean over medium heat until it begins to steam.
Temper the eggs by slowly adding the milk into the egg mixture while constantly whisking vigorously. Return the whole mixture--milk, eggs, everything--back to the saucepan and turn the heat on to medium low. Whisk constantly until the mixture just begins to bubble and it thickens. It does not need to boil hard.
Add the vanilla extract and butter. Whisk until smooth.
Chill the pudding either using an ice bath or in the refrigerator.
Mix the milk and cream in a saucepan. (You can also use 3 cups of half-and-half instead of the milk and cream. You can use 3 cups of whole milk, and not use any cream, but the final pudding won't be as thick and rich.) Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape or squeeze the caviar into the milk mixture. Add the split vanilla bean pod to the milk. Heat the milk and vanilla bean over medium heat until it begins to steam.
Temper the eggs by slowly adding the milk into the egg mixture while constantly whisking vigorously. Return the whole mixture--milk, eggs, everything--back to the saucepan and turn the heat on to medium low. Whisk constantly until the mixture just begins to bubble and it thickens. It does not need to boil hard.
Add the vanilla extract and butter. Whisk until smooth.
Chill the pudding either using an ice bath or in the refrigerator.