My Aunt June used to make this boiled vanilla custard almost constantly from Thanksgiving to Christmas so as to keep a steady supply on hand. Ever the ready hostess, June kept the custard stored not in the refrigerator, as you might expect, but in a Tupperware container in the trunk of her car. This ensured that she was never without party supplies, whether she was entertaining at home or calling on friends. We were always glad to see Aunt June coming at that time of year, not least because we knew her famous custard was sure to follow.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8 to 10

　　6 cups milk

　　2 cups heavy cream

　　1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved

　　1 1/2 cups sugar

　　1 teaspoon kosher salt

　　6 large egg yolks

　　

Step 1

Heat the milk, cream, and vanilla bean and reserved seeds in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat just until scalded (just before the boiling point). Remove from the heat, add the sugar and salt, and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Discard the vanilla bean.

　　

Step 2

Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl and whisk to mix. Slowly whisk about 2 cups of the milk mixture into the eggs to temper the eggs. Whisk the egg mixture back into the pan with the remaining milk mixture.

　　

Step 3

Place over very low heat and cook, whisking constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes longer, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, or for up to 3 days. Serve chilled.

　　

Sara’s Swaps

Step 4

Let this easy recipe do double duty around the holidays and use it to make eggnog in addition to custard. When the custard comes off the heat, stir in bourbon to taste and let cool. Meanwhile, place 6 large egg whites in a glass or metal bowl and beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Add 1 cup heavy cream whipped to soft peaks and lightly sweetened. Gently fold the egg whites into the custard and serve chilled, topped with freshly grated nutmeg and more lightly sweetened whipped cream.

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.