Cabbie’s Cooking

My sister, Joan, gave me this recipe  This boiled custard was traditionally served at Christmas during her husband’s childhood, and his mother gave Joan the recipe.  Joan reports that this is a little time consuming and, at time, tedious.  However, I can testify that it is delicious!  Give it a try.

MaMaw Peace’s Boiled Custard

6 large eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 gallong ilk
1 tsp. vanilla
dash nutmeg
1 heaping Tablespoon flour (mix with the sugar)

Bring milk to a steam in the top of a double boiler.
Mix the other ingredients thoroughly and add them to the steaming milk.
Stir constantly until thickened.
Fill the sink with ice cubes and set the pan on the ice cubes.
Stir the custard until it is cool. This prevents further cooking and curdling.

I love strawberry shortcake.  However, I have a special twist to mine.  I’m not bragging because it IS really delicious!  Here’s the recipe:

Strawberry Shortcake with Custard

1 small pound cake (I just buy one from the store - a frozen Sarah Lee pound cake loaf is good, but you can always make your own, if you prefer.)

1 quart fresh strawberries

1/2 cup sugar (more or less depending on your taste)

Wash and slice the fresh strawberries.  Sprinkle with sugar and mix well so that the juice is drawn out of the strawberries.  Put in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Custard

1 egg

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups milk

2 T corn starch

Mix the custard ingredients well in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Set aside to cool.

Putting the Strawberry Shortcake with Custard together:  Place a slice of cake in a dessert dish.  Spoon the strawberry mixture on top - using lots of juice to soak into the cake.  Spoon custard on top.  You can add a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

My mother-in-law was the first person I know who made strawberry shortcake this way.  She usually baked her own pound cake.  I usually buy the cake ready-made.  It’s the custard that makes this recipe unique.  I got this recipe for custard from my son-in-law.  This is absolutely the BEST Strawberry Shortcake imaginable.  The custard really makes it perfect!