Cuban Natilla Special Rich Vanilla Pudding Recipes

NATILLA (CUBAN CINNAMON AND VANILLA CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Place the milk, cinnamon stick, salt and lime peel in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, letting the spice and lime steep in the milk.
• In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar and the dissolved cornstarch until blended well.
• Discard the cinnamon stick and lime peel and combine the infused milk with the egg yolks in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. When the mixture thickens to soft-custard consistency, turn the heat off and add the vanilla. Pour into a large dessert dish (like a 7-inch souffle dish) or 4 individual 1/2-cup dessert ramekins and chill.
• Serve sprinkled with ground cinnamon.

NATILLA - CUBAN CUSTARD

Steps:

• Bring milk, cinnamon, zest & salt to a boil.
• Set aside to cool.
• Dissolve cornstarch in the water.
• Beat together diluted cornstarch, yolks & sugar.
• Add in the milk mixture.
• Strain.
• Cook in double boiler (preferred) or over medium flame stirring constantly until it thickens.
• Stir in vanilla & transfer to serving dish.
• Powder with cinnamon.

NATILLAS (SPANISH CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Combine milk, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest in a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 10 minutes without letting it boil.
• Meanwhile, beat egg yolks and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in cornstarch. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and lump-free.
• Remove and discard cinnamon stick and lemon zest from milk. Gradually add egg yolk mixture to the milk, and beat with a whisk over low heat until mixture starts to thickens, about 10 minutes. Bring custard to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
• Pour custard into individual serving dishes and chill in the fridge until set, about 2 hours.

NATILLAS (CUSTARD)

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup milk and egg yolks in a large bowl. Whisk until well combined and set aside. Set up a large bowl with ice cubes.
• Combine 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium over medium-high heat; gradually add remaining 1 3/4 cups milk, whisking constantly. Stir in whipping cream.
• Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; add seeds and bean to the milk mixture. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat.
• Gradually add half of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add butter to milk mixture and stir until well combined.
• Place pan in the prepared ice-filled bowl and allow to cool, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Discard vanilla bean. Spoon custard into a bowl. Cover surface of custard with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue to beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla extract. Gently fold 1/2 cup of beaten egg whites into the cooled custard.
• Spoon about 1/2 cup custard into each of 8 bowls or footed glasses; top each serving with 1/4 cup remaining egg white mixture. Garnish with nutmeg.

RICH VANILLA PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in half-and-half. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
• Remove from heat. In a thin stream, gradually add 1 cup of hot mixture to beaten egg yolks while whisking vigorously. Scrape hot egg mixture into saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and smooth. Do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Pour into a bowl or ramekins or teacups. Cover surface directly with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
• Serve topped with whipped cream and dulce de leche, as desired.
• NOTE: If using a vanilla bean in place of the extract, just add the split and scraped bean in step 1 when you add the half-and-half. Be sure to remove the bean pod before step 2.