Natillas (Custard)

Instructions

• 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.