Custard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Custard is a sweet dessert made from a combination of milk or cream, egg yolks, corn starch, sugar and flavourings such as vanilla. Depending on how much thickener is added, custard may vary in consistency from a thin pouring sauce or Crème Anglaise, to a thick blancmange like that used for vanilla slice. Custard made with corn starch is also a Non-Newtonian fluid.

Custard is an important part of dessert recipes originating in many countries including England, France, Spain, Italy, and Australia.

Most custard is cooked in a double boiler or heated very gently on the stove in a saucepan, but custard can also be steamed or baked in the oven in a steam bath or bain-marie.

Instant and ready- made custards, not always including eggs, are also marketed. See Bird's Custard, for instance.