Nonno Bruno’s Vanilla Custard

This quick and easy dessert comes straight from Italy

My grandfather, Bruno (Paola Malpezzi Price’s father) owned and operated hotels and restaurants for most of his life.  Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of eating his freshly baked cookies and warm vanilla custard. This recipe is one of my favorites, and now that I have learned how to make it I realize why he made it so often for my sister and I. It is so simple you can make it in 20 minutes and no matter what happens to it, it still tastes good.  There are many variations but here is my favorite version of my grandfather’s custard.

Serves 4-6 people

3 cups milk (I used whole, but it doesn’t really matter)
2 large eggs (the best, freshest eggs you can find, they make the difference)
5.5 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons flour

a piece of lemon rind (maybe 1/4 of a lemon)
1 tsp vanilla

Variations:
For chocolate, use 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa and 1 tablespoon of sugar

Wisk the milk, eggs, flour and sugar in a saucepan. Add the lemon rind and vanilla.  Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly – to make sure no lumps form. 

Remove the lemon rind once the mixture begins to boil.  Once it boils, you’ll notice the custard thickens – remove from heat and cool.  Meanwhile, if you want to add a chocolate swirl, mix the cocoa and sugar with 2 – 3 tablespoons of the custard.  You can swirl the chocolate in the custard to add a bit of variation – or to make chocolate custard add more cocoa and sugar.  You could also grate some chocolate and sprinkle on the custard. Whichever you choose, buon apetito!

Maria Elena Malpezzi Price