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Natilla

This custard is a very tasty dessert and is often served with fruit, cookies, or pound cake. Although it is called a sauce, the natilla takes center stage rather than the other way around. Many convents serve it in a large bowl and dust freshly ground canela over a stencil to create a religious symbol or figure on top. I particularly like it with fruit such as mango, guava, or berries.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk
2 long strips lime zest
1 (3- to 4-inch) piece canela
4 egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground canela, for sprinkling

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the milk, lime zest, and canela in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form around the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large heatproof bowl and whisk until the cornstarch has dissolved and there are no lumps.

    Step 2

    Put the bowl on a towel so it doesn’t move around. Gradually whisk half of the hot milk mixture into the egg-yolk mixture, then carefully return everything to the saucepan. Continue cooking, stirring often, until it coats the back of a spoon.

    Step 3

    Strain the mixture and chill over an ice bath. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top so it doesn’t form a crust. When ready to serve, sprinkle some ground canela on top, and enjoy.

My Sweet Mexico by Fany Gerson Cookbook Cover
Reprinted with permission from My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats Ā© 2010 by Fany Gerson. Photographs by Ed Anderson. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Buy the full book from Penguin Random House, Amazon, or Bookshop.
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