Custard Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk (The egg yolk has proteins and fats that help thicken the custard and make it creamy.)

• 30 g castor sugar (Sugar not only sweetens the custard but also helps soften the texture.)

• 10 g cornflour (Cornflour acts as a thickening agent that makes the custard smooth and velvety.)

• 100 ml milk (Milk is the liquid base of the custard and provides creaminess.)

• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence or bean paste (Vanilla gives the custard its delicious aroma and flavor.)

Method with Explanations:

1. Step 1: Mix egg yolk and sugarUsing an electric mixer, beat the egg yolk and castor sugar in a heatproof bowl until the mixture turns pale and thick.Why? Beating incorporates air, making the custard smooth and creamy. Sugar also helps the yolk hold air and prevents it from curdling later.

2. Step 2: Add cornflour and mixStir the cornflour into the egg mixture and mix well.Why? Cornflour absorbs liquid and helps the custard thicken when heated. Mixing it well prevents lumps from forming.

3. Step 3: Heat the milk and vanillaIn a small saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla until it starts to boil.Why? Heating the milk activates the flavor of the vanilla and helps dissolve any solids in the milk. The warmth also prevents the egg from cooking too quickly when combined.

4. Step 4: Combine the milk and egg mixtureSlowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking quickly. Then, return the mixture to the saucepan.Why? Pouring slowly and whisking fast prevents the heat from cooking the egg too quickly, which could make it curdle or turn lumpy. This step combines all the ingredients into a smooth custard base.

5. Step 5: Thicken the custardCook the mixture over low heat while stirring constantly until it thickens into custard.Why? Gentle heat allows the egg proteins and cornflour to thicken the custard gradually without scrambling the eggs. Stirring ensures the heat spreads evenly and keeps the custard smooth.

6. Step 6: Store the custardTransfer the thickened custard to an airtight container to cool.Why? Storing it properly keeps it fresh and prevents a skin from forming on the surface.