Nutella-Custard Pudding

Ingredients ( Serves 4)

1. Whole milk or 2 % milk – 2 cups

2. Egg yolk – of 3 eggs

    Sugar – 1/2 cup

3. Cornstarch – 2.5 tbsp

4. Vanilla extract – 1/2 tsp

    Cold unsalted butter – 1 tbsp

5. Nutella – 1.5 tbsp

Method

1. Set out 4 ramekins or other cups/small bowls. Cut a piece of smooth plastic that will divide the serving cup in half ( I used a paper plate).

2. In a large saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Whisk in the cornstarch until completely incorporated. Whisk in a third of the hot milk mixture, then gradually whisk in the rest.

3. Pour the mixture through a fine strainer back into the saucepan to remove any lumps. Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat, until thick. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a large few bubbles boiling up to the top. It takes only about 1 – 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the vanilla extract and butter, and whisk until the butter is melted.

4. Pour half of the mixture into a medium bowl and stir in the nutella until smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes or until it is cool enough to work with.

5. Stand your divider in a ramekin / or the cup you are using. Put the custard on one side and nutella pudding on the other. Pull out the divider carefully and place in another ramekin and repeat the process. Tap the ramekins gently. Cover tightly with a plastic wrap in order to avoid the formation of pudding skin. Refrigerate for at least 2 – 3 hrs before serving.