Can you make custard without custard powder? (Proper custard)

HappyIdiotTalk

Can I freeze proper custard? A batch of this makes far too much for us to use so I'd like to freeze some of it for later. Would it work, or would it just be ruined?

TIA

tawnyowls

You should be able to. You'll probably find that it separates out afterwards, but a good whisk (possibly over some boiling water if necessary) should even it all out again.

HappyIdiotTalk

tawnyowls wrote:

You should be able to. You'll probably find that it separates out afterwards, but a good whisk (possibly over some boiling water if necessary) should even it all out again.

Oh dear I dont like the sound of that. I think maybe I'll just have to use it all and have something a few days on the trot!

Thanks.

Alfietinker

I've tried egg custard 2 days on the trot now - what am I doing wrong?

This is the recipe I used:
5tbs sweetner
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
300ml skimmed milk

I beat the egg yolks with the vanilla and sweetner, heated the milk and poured into the egg mixture, beating all the time, then heated.

The first night I didn't have a spare bowl to hand so I tried to heat it in the saucepan and it separated - I'm guessing it must have boiled - the cat's had a nice treat though!

Last night I did the same but put the mixture into a bowl over boiling water - judiciously stirring all the time but it took sooooo long to thicken I gave up. I started at 8 and by 8.50 it still wasn't thick.

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I thought this would be an ideal slimming treat as I am allowed eggs and milk.

Oh, and as an afterthought - would custard count as 'lightly cooked eggs'? I'm guessing so (family planning purposes).

Thanks in advance!

nikibella

Hi,
next time add a little of the egg white (may be half of one for two egg yolks), beat well and always be careful not to heat it too much. It will thicken without problems. Or if you are allowed, add a teaspoon of cornflour or potato starch.

Alfietinker

Thanks - I'm allowed cornflour but I have to have it as a treat so it's better if I can get away without it. I'll try adding a bit of the eggwhite too. When you say beat well, do you mean the eggs before adding the milk? I only lightly beat them first, furiously beat when pouring the milk on, but only stirred gently when heating it all up. Should I be beating more vigourously all the way through?

lynzpower

are you using sweetener instead of sugar?

I say this as I have used sweetener instead of sugar in a few things ( splenda) and it didnt really work, particularlywhen you need the sugar to harden off. Im not too sure on egg custards though, Ive only ever had a packet one once and wasnt impressed, I expect a HM one would be a completely different experience!

Snaggles

I love egg custard - if you manage to perfect it, do let us know!!

lynzpower, long time no see - how's everything? Still working crazy hours?

Sorry, will stop hijacking now!

Alfietinker

Yep Lynzpower, sweetener not sugar. Maybe that's it! But I can't really have sugar or it'll be using up my 'treat' allowance. I'll give it another go tomorrow I think - tonight I've got to use up the 4 egg whites I've got left over!

Snaggles

Egg white omlette? Meringues?