Rhubarb and Coconut Custard

It was one of those days, I just needed some rhubarb and custard. I adored it as a child, usually a huge bowl of rhubarb and a decent dollop of custard on top. Today I reversed that with a bowl of homemade coconut custard and some poached Yorkshire rhubarb on top. Because I can, and because the custard was gorgeous. 

Rhubarb and custard whisks me to childhood with every bite. I loved custard, usually whipped from Bird’s powder or ushered from a carton (no judgement – I loved it). Then in school, with the advance of compulsory Home Economics lessons (I do believe that every school should have them) I discovered real custard. Made slowly over gentle heat. Pouring custard, baked custard, and baked apples with custard. Eyes wide open, eggs, sugar and milk in gorgeous alchemy. I have been hooked ever since.

Custard, as with most things requiring a transformation of eggs and something other, is perceived as being tricky or complex. All you have to do is pay attention. Custard is actually fairly simple, especially when you cheat just a little by using cornflour, along with your egg yolks. Bird’s custard powder is primarily cornflour and colour. 

Custard can take on many forms aside from the differences between baked, pouring, custard in tarts etc. You can play around with custard and make it savoury or sweet, and you can change the milk. Coconut milk custard is a favourite, the thick creamy milk gives a lovely texture. It is also easier, to get this texture with normal milk you have to add cream. With coconut milk you are good to go, and it takes no more than 10 minutes. 

This is very easy and a joy. Everyone will love this but this is particularly special for anyone on a dairy free diet as they can have it. Enjoy!