Boiled custard

My grandmother Mama always boiled a giant jar of boiled custard each Christmas, and she passed the recipe to my mom who continued the tradition, and for the last several years we've made several batches each Christmas. It's a custard, so the trick is to cook it not to too hot until the custard just thickens and coats the spoon, and then quickly take it off the heat. In the first picture, you see Miriam is hamming a bit for the camera, posing with a whistle as if she doesn't have a care in the world. By the time I took the last photo, she was deadly serious, annoyed with my picture taking, asking "is it coating, is it coating?" Here's the recipe, which is a minor variant of the one handed down (fewer marshmallows, less sugar)

• Heat 1 Qt whole milk in a heavy pan until scalding. Don't let it skin over
• Add 6 whole marshmallows once the milk is hot
• Whisk together then add: 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp flour, and 4 whole eggs

• Stir until the marshmallows melt and the custard covers the spoon. Strain into a glass jar to which 1tsp vanilla has been added and chill

Kids love it, grown ups have been known to mix with brandy or rum. Fun for the whole family!