Kitchen Dictionary: custard

A pudding-like dessert made with sweetened milk and eggs, that is baked, boiled or frozen. Stirred custards are usually made in a double boiler, and baked custards are made with a water bath. Depending on the amount of eggs or thickeners used, the consistency ranges from a thin sauce for pouring to a thick blancmange to a pastry cream for filling eclairs. Instant custard powders are available, but they are not true custards if eggs are not used as a thickener.

Ingredient

Season: available year-round

Matches well with: almonds, bananas, berries, bread, caramel, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, coffee, Cognac, Cointreau, ginger, lemon, maple, oranges, pineapple, rice, rum, strawberries, vanilla