Ming Tsai

Recipes

Directions

1. With a paring knife, split the vanilla beans. Using a teaspoon, scrape their insides into a medium saucepan, and add the pods. In the same pan combine the cream, milk, and 1 cup of the sugar and cook over low heat, stirring, just until the mixture becomes hot, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the stove.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the yolks and the remaining cup of sugar and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is pale yellow. Remove 2 cups of the cream mixture from the saucepan and, whisking constantly, add it gradually to the yolk mixture. Stir the lightened yolk mixture back into the saucepan and cook the custard over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the sauce thickens sufficiently to coat the spoon, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Strain the sauce and transfer it to a shallow pan. To avoid a skin forming on the cream, cover it with plastic wrap so the wrap touches its surface. Keep the edges of the wrap raised so steam can escape. Cool in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight. Use or store.