Apple Pie with Warm Custard Sauce

You will never look at apple pie the same again after you try a slice with this warm custard sauce. I know most of us Americans are used to eating our apple pies a-la-mode (with vanilla ice-cream) but while we were in London last month we had a slice of unbelievable apple pie with warm custard sauce. Yes, you heard me right...custard sauce! We had this delightful treat at The Crown in Bromley, which is owned by our good friends, Jerry & Vanessa Malone. However, you can find this dessert in most pubs & restaurants in London. And remember, the key is that the custard sauce has to be warm!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 apple pie, preferably homemade or from Marie Callender's
• A jar of caramel sauce, heated (follow instructions on jar)
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeded
• 5 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Bring milk, vanilla bean, and scraped seeds to a simmer in a saucepan. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until light and lemon-colored. Slowly add hot milk to egg mixture, whisking continuously--you do not want scrambled eggs! Return to the saucepan, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats a spoon. Strain through a fine sieve. Add vanilla extract and set aside. You can also chill the sauce and reheat it when ready to serve.

Have your caramel sauce heated and ready to go. Place a slice of warm apple pie onto a serving plate and pour about 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce over the apple pie. Make sure the caramel sauce gets evenly distributed. Then take your warm custard sauce and pour the custard sauce on the plate around the pie. It's a slice of heaven!