Custard Delight

This delectable custard makes an elegant party dessert, yet it’s easy to make.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk 1 1⁄2 tablespoons white flour 1 tablespoon agar-agar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons sugar

Topping: 1⁄2 pint heavy cream 2 tablespoons sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla 1⁄4 cup slivered almonds 1 cup sliced strawberries

Directions:

To make the custard, bring the milk to a boil in a heavy pot. Mix the flour with a little water and add it slowly to the boiling milk, stirring constantly until the milk boils again. Turn the heat down, add the agar-agar, and let the mixture boil for five minutes. Then stir in the sugar and vanilla, and keep stirring a few minutes more. Cool the custard for 15 minutes before filling the serving bowls one-third full. Put it in the refrigerator until it sets—approximately 30 minutes.

Whip the cream until it forms peaks, then add the sugar and vanilla. Just before serving, top the custard with whipped cream and garnish with slivered almonds and strawberries.