We promise that all ages will love this comforting custard dessert. At dessert time, simply put the various elements out and get everyone to pour over the sauce, sprinkle the praline and load with the oranges. You could also serve this with fresh strawberries, apricots or peaches depending on what’s in season.

LITTLE CUSTARD POTS with Sliced oranges, praline & Barker’s Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

CUSTARD
2 cups (500ml) milk
1 vanilla pod
3 egg yolks
1⁄4 cup (55g) caster sugar
1⁄4 cup (35g) plain flour
1 bottle of Barker’s Luscious Strawberry Sauce

PRALINE
1⁄4 cup (55g) caster sugar
1⁄4 cup (35g) natural almonds

CUSTARD

Place the milk in a medium-sized saucepan. Split the vanilla pod down the centre with a sharp knife and scrape the seeds into the milk, chuck in the pods too.

Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring just to boiling point, remove and set aside for 10 minutes.

Whisk the yolks, sugar and fl our together until pale and thick. Pour a little of the hot milk into this mixture and whisk to combine. Gradually add the remaining milk, whisking as you go. Return mixture
to the saucepan and place over low heat.
Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon the whole time for about fi ve minutes or until mixture coats the back of the spoon and has thickened up nicely.

Be careful not to cook the custard at too high a heat or for too long as it can curdle and become more like scrambled eggs than beautiful custard. Pour into a big jug and place straight into the fridge where it
will thicken up a little more on cooling.

PRALINE

Place the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, swirling the sugar around the pan as it melts into a golden caramel. Meanwhile line a baking tray with paper and scatter with the almonds.

Once the sugar is melted, pour over the almonds and leave to cool and harden, just five minutes or so should do it.

When the praline has set transfer to a food processor or mortar and pestle and blitz or bash until you have a fine-ish crumb. Keep in an airtight container until needed.

TO SERVE: Divide custard into little glass jars or bowls, top with a drizzle of Barkers Strawberry Sauce, a sprinkling of praline and the orange slices.