Apple, Banana & Cashew Custard

 

After the breakfast puddings I posted these past two days, I thought of going with a quick and lovely dessert option for today which happens to be an easy preparation. Though it falls under the dessert category, I wouldn't mind if a bowl of yummy fruit custard is served at breakfast. Indians need no introduction to the eggless custard which is served with mixed fruit. It used to be one of the popular dessert options during kids' based birthday parties and I hope it is still so. I usually go with an array of fruits when making this custard but I noticed this version in a family party using the basic fruits found lying in anyone's kitchen.
 
Indians usually go with the readily available commercial brand custard powders while preparing fruit custards at home. It is nothing but vanilla flavored corn starch with yellow food coloring added. The preparation of custard is simple and basically, the custard powder is whisked into a small amount of milk to an uniform consistency and added along with sugar to boiling milk and cooked until it thickens. 2 tbsp. of corn starch + 1 tsp. vanilla extract + yellow food coloring can be substituted for the amount of vanilla flavored custard powder used in the recipe.    

Ingredients: (Yield 2 servings)
2 cups milk
2 tbsp. vanilla flavored custard powder 
3 tbsp. sugar
1 big sized banana
1 apple
A handful of cashews
 
Method:  
* Pour milk into a preferably a non stick pan or a sturdy sauce pan and heat it on medium flame. When the milk starts to get warm, transfer about 1/4 cup of milk to a small bowl. Continue to heat the milk in the pan, stirring frequently until it starts to boil. When it starts to boil, turn down the heat setting to low.
* Meanwhile, add vanilla flavored custard powder to the saved milk in the bowl and whisk well. Add this and the sugar to the boiling milk in the pan and whisk well. Stir frequently and continue to cook until the mixture thickens and the raw smell of the custard powder leaves.
* Let the custard come to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator to chill.
* Chop banana and apple to fine bits. Chop cashew nuts into small pieces as well. Add them to the chilled custard.
* Serve immediately or within a day.

This goes to Blogging marathon #74, under the theme 'Are you Pudding me'. Check out the page to read what other marathoners are cooking.

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