Classic Favorite -- Custard!

Cakes loaded with Chocolate...

Cupcakes topped with rich frostings...
Tarts stacked with fruit...
Morning pastries, cobblers, cookies, pies, muffins & mallows...

I often am asked what is my favorite sweet treat to make.
And I am just as often- totally stumped.

It's like asking an artist what is their favorite subject matter to paint.
Some days they might enjoy painting a posy field basking in sunlight.
Another day that week, they may just feel
like capturing the stunning beauty of a city on fire.

... Sometimes, it's all about the moment.

There is one thing in particular that I tend to keep coming back to though...

Creamy.
Rich.
Silky.
Oh so smooth.

Custard.

It can be a tricky little bugger...
if you don't treat it juuuuuuust right.

But it can be the most blissful treat in all the world
when you do it right.

So...
Be sure to start with a good quality recipe
& remember these tips :)

Scald the milk...
you can tell you've done it right if there's a film in the bottom of your pan.

There's something so appealing about foamy milk to me...
Probably why I have a love affair with Lattes...


Be sure to temper your eggs.
First time I attempted custard
I was in fifth grade
& I had no idea I was supposed to gradually introduce my eggs
to the insane heat of the scalded milk.
What happened?

Scrambled eggs.
Lumpy Custard.
Totally gross.

So... temper those eggs.

As the custard thickens in the pan
be sure to keep a hand on off-switch for the burner.

A few extra seconds of heat can mean the difference
between silky smooth...

And slightly lumpy.

You can always strain your custard after thickening-
Most recipes list it as a step....
But...
Pros don't need to strain ;)

Pros also add extra fat.

Like Peanut Butter.

Well... I do anyways.

I also add Bourbon Vanilla.



Every great custard deserves an epic crust.

Epic.

It also deserves a hefty dollop of equally epic Whipped Cream.

I made this one chocolate.

And added extra chocolate... & Bourbon Vanilla
Just to ensure it's epic-ness.

And there you have it.

Three layers of Personal-Sized Bliss.

All thanks to Custard.

Creamy Custard & Nutty Nutrition

I have a confession...
I've gained 8 pounds
somewhere between August 2010 & Now.

Well....

Actually....

Somewhere between my belly button & my butt.
In that general region anyhow.

I used to be so carefree.
So unintentional.
So blissfully ignorant.

About carbs...
sugar...
fat...

& CALORIES.

Now I find myself checking labels!
Cutting out carbs!

&
Counting all those damn Calories!!

So I got an opportunity to attend the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim.

& It was very enlightening.

But, apparently, I made a way to make it ...
fattening.

I tasted every kind of almond milk, organic ice cream, & natural energy bar
that they threw my direction.
After 5 hours of walking...
I found a way to gain 2 more pounds.

Perhaps my diet needs extra tweaking...

On another note...

I made a new & totally blissful treat for a lovely lady!

It was packed with wondrous Blackberries...
Which are always healthy ;)

Too bad the Vanilla Bean Custard & the Lemon Almond Tart Crust
was slightly ... fattening.

I'll figure it out someday.

Just not today...