Skip to main content

Crème Anglaise

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Pottery and Saucer
Photo by Chelsea Kyle

You can make this sauce up to 2 days ahead; press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk together the yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until pale, about 4 minutes.

    Step 2

    Pour the milk and cream into a medium saucepan. Scrape in the vanilla seeds; add the bean. Heat over medium heat until just about to simmer. Reduce heat to low; whisk 1/3 cup into the egg yolk mixture. Return to the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 8 minutes.

    Step 3

    Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a stainless-steel bowl set in a large ice-water bath. Discard the solids. Chill until cold, stirring occasionally.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Glossy, intensely chocolaty, and spiked with coffee and sour cream, this Bundt is the ultimate all-purpose dessert.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.