Simple vanilla pudding

I've made this every night for the last two weeks. I'm in a bad dessert habit, leftover from the wedding, I think. We don't keep anything sweet in the house so if you want something, it has to be made.

{simple vanilla pudding}

Luckily (unfortunately?), pudding is so, so easy. I don't know why people buy mix. The original recipe is from Smitten Kitchen, but I make a half batch and I've modified it a little bit to suit my needs (less sugar, less cornstarch, no egg white). This gives you a soft, not overly rich pudding that is just a bit sweet. It makes me feel a little better about eating the entire batch in one sitting.

Simple vanilla pudding (makes 2 normal servings or 1 large serving)

1 1/3 cup milk, divided (I use 1% and it's fine)

1 egg yolk

1-3 tablespoons sugar (1 if you don't like it very sweet at all, 3 if you're adding semi-sweet chocolate at the end)

1 tablespoon corn starch

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

:: Heat 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan.

:: Meanwhile, whisk together the extra 1/3 cup milk and the egg yolk.

:: In a heatproof 2 cup measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar and salt and then add the milk/egg mixture in a slow stream, whisking so clumps don't form.

:: Slowly pour the hot milk into the mixture, whisking the entire time.

:: Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and cook for a few minutes, until thick and bubbling.

:: Stir in the vanilla and eat warm (my preference) or let it cool and set up a bit.

If you want chocolate pudding you can toss in some chocolate chips after it's done cooking and whisk it well.  I usually just toss in a small handful, but you can start small and then add to taste.

The entire procedure takes maybe 10 minutes, tops, and that includes washing out the measuring cups (naturally I can't wash the pan until later - you guys know that washing hot pans warps them, right?).

{pudding}

I really need to start weaning myself off the whole dessert thing.