Vanilla Custard

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 egg yolks
• 3 cups milk
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste

Directions

In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the sugar, corn starch , salt, and egg yolks. Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and scald it over moderately low heat. (The milk should steam and form small bubbles at the edges, but not come to a boil.) Pour 1 cup of the hot milk into the bowl with the egg yolks and whisk until well combined. Whisk in the rest of the milk, then pour the whole mixture back into the saucepan. Whisk frequently over moderately low heat until thickened, and a candy thermometer reads 170° F. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla paste. Place heavy-duty plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard. Chill for three hours.