In the video below, A&M go on location in the kitchen at Peels restaurant in NYC with pastry chef Shuna Lydon, as she reveals the first of 5 essential tips for making perfect custard. To begin, a lesson on vanilla sugar -- how to make it and why it creates the best vanilla flavor in a custard. Stay tuned next week for Lydon's other expert tips.
Follow Lydon through the world of pastry (and more) on Twitter and her aptly named blog, Eggbeater. This week's videos were once again shot and edited by filmmaker Elena Parker.




















11 Comments on How to Make Perfect Custard, Part 1:
Any way to subscribe solely to Shuna's videos - of course I read all of Food52 but some parts I would like to subscribe specifically to.
It's so fun to see the authors of the blog "in the flesh" (more or less). I love all these tips about vanilla beans--and it's reminding me to order some more stat. I had no idea you could use the whole pod like that. Off to the next video in the series...
It's so fun to see the authors of the blog "in the flesh" (more or less). I love all these tips about vanilla beans--and it's reminding me to order some more stat. I had no idea you could use the whole pod like that. Off to the next video in the series...
What an awesome tip - why not use our spices "nose-to-tail" as well? I'm waiting anxiously for Shuna's next clip!
I can't believe I've been throwing away the vanilla bean after scraping and infusing -- I now feel like I can actually get my full $2 out of the bean by drying and grinding it with sugar -- genius! Thanks for the tips, Shuna, and thanks for the videos A&M -- my future custard consumers thank you as well!
More please!!! : )
This is way too cool. Shuna is one of my fave pastry chefs (read her writing; dying to go to Peel's). Love her vanilla bean advice - awesome. Can't wait for part 2. ps. @mrslarkin is right - video is way too short! More Shuna, please!
Boo-hoo...I'm not getting access to the video! The place where it should be is blank.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added about 1 year agoMaybe try reloading the page? Sometimes it takes a bit for the video to buffer.
Yep ... me too. Waiting for the next installment.. ha ha I do that too. YAY!!! I keep my vanilla sugar in an old applesauce jar he he How about you?
Love the video! But way too short! Looking forward to part 2.
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