Vanilla Filling

Vanilla has a sensual aromatherapy agent and is listed as an essential good mood fragrance. Adding it to pudding is even better. This recipe doubles as custard and is amazing as a pie filling. Favourite uses in the tearoom included Boston cream puffs, Pavlova fruit-topped tarts, and as a sauce for Christmas pudding and ginger cake. The filling sets fast in the microwave. To get your pudding its' smoothest, keep your microwave times short and stir often. Do not let the milk, flour and sugar mixture rest un-whisked in the microwave. The flour will continue to cook and turn lumpy. This I have learned!

• 3 cups of milk
• 3/4 cup white Sugar
• 1 dollop of Butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 eggs separated, whites set aside for other uses

1. Fill an 8 cup glass measuring bowl with milk, sugar, and flour.
2. Whisk and microwave for 2 minutes on high.
3. Repeat the above step until bubbles form and mixture becomes thick and smooth.
4. Separate egg yolks into a small mixing bowl. Set egg whites aside for other uses.
5. Pour some of the hot liquid into the small bowl of egg yolks, briefly whisking ingredients together.
6. Pour small bowl contents into the larger bowl.
7. Whisk until smooth.
8. Add butter and vanilla.
9. Whisk until smooth.

Delicious served warm or cold. Store in a Piping Bag

Variations

Make a coconut cream filling by stirring in 1-1/2 cups coconut while the filling is still warm. Make it a pie by adding it to a baked pie pastry and let it set.

Make a banana cream filling by slicing bananas into it while warm. Make a pie by pouring in hot to a baked pie shell and letting it set.