Gourmet Coffee

Ingredients:
3 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 shot strong Italian espresso coffee, room temperature
1/4 cup skim milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
6 coffee beans

In a small saucepan, combine the egg yolks, sugar, flour, vanilla, and Italian espresso coffee. Whisk until well blended. Add a bit of milk and turn the heat to medium-high, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Gradually add the milk to the egg mixture, continuing to stir so as not to let the eggs begin to cook at the bottom edges of the pan. Once all the milk has been added, allow mixture to boil.  Reduce to a gentle simmer, stirring the entire time. Let mixture sit until it thickens. Remove from the heat, letting the cream cool.  In a separate bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk, mix the cream until it becomes thick whipped cream. Using a spatula, gently fold 2/3 of the whipped cream into the egg custard mixture. Separate the custard into 6 tall glasses. Chill the filled custard glasses in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. As a garnish just prior to serving, top each glass with a spoonful of the remaining whipped cream and a coffee bean.

Recipe courtesy Mario Batali on the “Molto Mario” TV show (The Food Network)