Vanilla Bean Pudding Recipes

LIGHT VANILLA-BEAN PUDDING

Steps:

• Place a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan (off heat), whisk together sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and salt. Gradually whisk in milk (1 tablespoon at a time to start) until smooth. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out seeds with the tip of a paring knife; add seeds and pod to milk mixture.
• Cook over medium-high, whisking occasionally, until the first bubbles appear on surface; continue to cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute more. Pour pudding through prepared sieve into bowl; discard solids.
• Place plastic wrap directly on entire surface of pudding to keep skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours, and up to 3 days. To serve, whisk just until smooth, and spoon into individual serving dishes.

VANILLA BEAN PUDDING

Steps:

• Heat the milk, cream, and vanilla bean (with the seeds scraped into the milk) until just simmering in a heavy-bottomed medium pot. Whisk the yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and salt together and stream the hot milk mixture, while whisking continuously, into the eggs. Return to the pan and cook, while whisking over medium heat, until the mixture thickens and just begins to boil. Immediately transfer to a clean bowl. Pick out and discard vanilla bean. Stir in the vanilla extract and the butter. Press plastic wrap against the surface to cover. Chill and serve with whipped cream, if desired.