OLD FASHIONED VANILLA PUDDING FOR TWO

One of my newest projects, is to try and "adjust" my old "tried and true" recipes (which feed an army) into recipes for two people. There are a lot of us "empty nesters" and single people who do not need a whole pie, or a whole casserole for six...so this winter, I will be posting a few of my "trimmed down" recipes.
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Today's recipe for two, is a good old fashioned vanilla pudding. It is quick, easy and uses simple ingredients. What a nice way to finish off any quick meal.
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1 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten in small bowl
1½ teaspoon butter
½ teaspoon good vanilla extract
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In a heavy bottomed sauce pan, mix the first 4 ingredients well and cook (and stir)over medium heat until it comes to a boil. After it comes to a boil, reduce the heat a little and continue to cook/stir for two minutes.
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After two minutes, remove from heat and whisk about half of the hot mixture into the small bowl of lightly beaten egg yolk (whisk fast, so the cooked mixture will temper the egg yolk and not scramble it). After thoroughly mixed, put it all back into the sauce pan and bring back to a gentle boil. Stir and cook one more minute.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Let this cool for about 10 minutes then pour into dessert dishes. Place a small piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the hot pudding (so it doesn't form a tough skin). Chill for a couple of hours.

NOTE: You can easily double or triple this recipe.