500ml/18fl oz milk
1 vanilla pod, split down the middle and seeds scraped out
100g/3 oz caster sugar
4 free-range eggs, yolks only
40g/1 oz cornflour
40g/1 oz butter
Pour the milk into a pan and add the split vanilla pod and its seeds. Bring the
milk mixture to the boil, then remove from the heat.
Whisk the sugar, egg yolks and cornflour together in a large bowl.
Pour out a little of the hot milk onto the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
Whisk in the rest of the hot milk until well-combined, then return to the pan.
Cook the mixture over a gentle heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture
becomes thick. It will just come to the boil.
Remove from the heat and pass the mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl.
Add the butter and stir until melted and thoroughly combined.
Leave to cool, cover with clingfilm and then chill before using.