Vanilla Pudding with Strawberries

Almost everyone I know is on a diet. My parents are living the South Beach lifestyle. I have one friend doing P90X, and several friends doing Weight Watchers or the equivalent. If you are one of these people stop reading now. You will only get depressed. If you are not continue reading for the yummiest dessert ever. This pudding is the most decadent dessert I have ever had. It comes close to being a custard. (What is the exact difference between the two?) As you see from the ingredient list it is very far from being fat free but if you split it between enough people you should be fine. Right?

I got this recipe from Brenda and will bless her for the rest of my life (which has probably been shortened by eating it) for it.

Two notes: I didn't use a vanilla bean because they are $8.00 a pop at the grocery store. The dessert is still amazing but I strongly suspect it would be better with said bean. I do now have a source that is getting beans at $.85/bean if you are interested. Also, don't double this recipe for a family gathering basing that decision on who usually shows up. If you do, half the people wont be able to be there and you will have way, way, way, too big a temptation on your hands. I'm just sayin'.

Vanilla Pudding with Strawberry Sauce

Pudding Ingredients:

-4 egg yolks

-2 tablespoons cornstarch

-4 cups heavy cream

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 vanilla bean

-1 cup white chocolate chips

Coulis Ingredients:

-1 pound frozen strawberries, thawed

-1/4 cup sugar

-1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions:

In a medium-sized bowl, beat together egg yolks and cornstarch.  Set aside.  In a large saucepan bring the cream, sugar and vanilla bean (cut in open length wise) to a boil over medium heat.  Add the white chocolate chips, then reduce the heat to low.  Temper the egg yolks with a little of the cream mixture, then pour the egg yolks back into the cream.  Simmer until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute.  Remove the pan from the heat and pour the pudding into 6 (6 oz) ramekins.  Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

Add the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a food processor and pulse until smooth.  Strain the mixture with a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.  Top the pudding with the coulis and garnish with whipped cream and fresh strawberries before serving.

Enjoy!