Custard Sauces can be an accompaniment to various cakes, souffles, desserts, fruits, used in tart cups. Made with milk and eggs, custard sauce is delicately flavored with vanilla extract, or instant coffee or a orange liqueur or any other flavor of your choice.

Makes: about 2 cups

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee or vanilla extract, or orange liqueur( such as Grand Marnier )

Method

Heat the milk in a sauce pan until it begins to boil and turn off heat. Whisk together eggs and sugar in a bowl until well combined, then add hot milk in a slow stream, whisking constantly.

Transfer custard to the saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened about 5 to 10 minutes (do not let boil).

Stir in the coffee, vanilla, or orange flavoring. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a metal bowl, discarding solids.

Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir custard until cool. Chill in refrigerator, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour.

Cooks' note Custard sauce can be chilled, covered, up to 2 days.