I made vanilla custard.

[no_hypocrisy]

It's delicious but . . . .

it's slightly grainy. What did I do wrong? Shouldn't it be smooth, like pudding?

[Phoenix61]

1. Yes it should. Sounds like it's slightly overcooked. nt

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Thanks! I'll take it off the heat 3-5 minutes early next time.

[Phoenix61]

3. That happened to me on a pumpkin pie.

The crust fell down the side during pre-bake so I couldn’t fill it as much but failed to adjust the cook time accordingly. It tasted ok but the texture was grainy for lack of a better word.

[sir pball]

4. Are you doing it directly on the stovetop?

Next time put it in a double boiler, and add a just a pinch of cornstarch before you heat it. It'll be smooth as silk.

[yellowdogintexas]

5. If you take it off heat when it is just thick enough to coat a spoon, you can drink it

This is a big part of Christmas back in KY. Around Christmas back home you would be likely to find a quart Mason jar of boiled custard, whether made in house or shared by a family member.

It is best with coconut cake and fresh fruit ambrosia made with tangerines, oranges, coconut and whatever other fruit the maker wants to use. Concessions are made to canned pineapple chunks. My mom put red grapefruit in hers. No mayo, sometimes a bit of whipped cream.

Most folks put a teaspoon of good bourbon in their glass or cup (even folks who normally wouldn't touch alcohol).

We have it instead of egg nog; I don't like egg nog, but I love boiled custard.

If you have too much, it makes fabulous ice cream.