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Plan to improve the entire world

Give everyone on Earth some stirred custard on a regular basis.

Yup, that’s all it would take. A bowl of stirred custard, say once a week, with the possibility of seconds and the occasional poached meringue as a bonus, and you have a world full of happy happy people.

I detect a note of skepticism on the other side of the monitor but I would suggest that you just try a bowlful yourself and see if you don’t agree. Oh, you need a good recipe? That we can help you with right here. From my family cooking album – Floating Islands:

• 4 eggs or 3 eggs and 2 yolks
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp flour (I would consider this optional myself – there’s no way you need the flour)
• 2 1/2 cup scalded milk
• dash salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• Combine eggs, sugar and flour together until well mixed. Add milk gradually (note – it must NOT be hot – you’ll scramble the eggs) Cook in double boiler over hot but not boiling water, stirring constantly until custard coats a spoon. Serve warm.

For the islands:

• 2 egg whites (use the ones from the custard)
• 4 TB sugar
• dash salt
• Beat egg whites until soft peak stage. Add the sugar very gradually beating after each addition. Add salt Beat until stiff.
• Form the islands by dropping a large spoonful of egg white into large frying pan with scalded milk in it. Poach for several minutes until dry and firm. Place on top of bowl of custard.

Enjoy! PS It’s ok to double this recipe. Seconds for everybody!