Step 1 Heat milk with vanilla in a small saucepan and allow to just come to the boil.
Step 2 Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar. Mix cornflour with 2 tablespoons water to make a paste.
Step 3 Pour hot milk over egg yolks, whisking vigorously. When mixed in, return to pan with cornflour. Stir over low heat for 5-6 minutes, or until mixture thickens to coat back of spoon. Remove vanilla bean when ready to serve.
Use this custard and adapt it to make the following tasty desserts:
To make custard in the microwave, heat milk for 1 1/2 minutes on high in a microwave-proof bowl. Prepare as in step 2, returning the mix to a microwave bowl. Heat on high for 3 minutes, whisking every 30 seconds.
