Crème Anglaise Classic Custard Sauce Recipes

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.

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.

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.)

Steps:

• Whisk the egg yolks in a 2-quart stainless-steel saucepan, adding the sugar by spoonfuls. Continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes, until the yolks are thick and pale yellow and "form the ribbon" (see page 100). By dribbles at first, stir in the hot milk.
• Set over moderate heat, stirring slowly and continuously with a wooden spoon, reaching all over the bottom of the pan as the custard gradually heats and thickens-do not let it come near the boil. If it seems to be getting too hot, lift pan up, then continue as the sauce thickens. You are almost there when surface bubbles begin to disappear and you may see a whiff of steam arise.
• When Is It Done? It coats the spoon in a light, creamy layer.
• Beat in the optional butter, the vanilla, and the optional spirits. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
• Storage. Remember that this is an egg-yolk sauce, and should not sit around at room temperature for more than 1/2 hour. To store for 2 to 3 days, refrigerate, and cover when cold.