French Vanilla Slices (Mille-feuilles) recipe

8 servings

2 cups milk

7 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 whole vanilla bean

3/4 cup castor sugar or superfine sugar

1 pinch salt

6 egg yolks

1 1/2 (17.5 ounce) packages frozen puff pastry

1/2 cup apricot preserves (optional)

confectioners' sugar for dusting

In a small saucepan, heat milk until small bubbles form.

Drop in the vanilla pod, remove saucepan from heat, and set aside to cool until just warm.

In a medium saucepan, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and egg yolks.

Beat for a moment, then gradually whisk in warm milk.

Simmer over medium-low heat until the custard thickens, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking.

Transfer custard to a bowl, and allow to cool, stirring from time to time.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Roll out the puff pastry into a single sheet about 1/2 inch thick; it should be the same size as a 17x14 inch baking sheet.

Place the pastry onto the baking sheet, and prick all over with a fork.

Bake in preheated oven for 28 minutes.

Remove from oven, and cool pastry on the baking sheet.

When the pastry has cooled completely, transfer it from the baking sheet to a hard surface, and cut lengthwise into three 4 to 5 inches wide strips.

Spread one strip thickly with custard.

Place a second strip directly over the first; spread the top evenly with jam.

Cover with the third strip, and dust with confectioners' sugar.

With a very sharp knife, cut into 8 rectangular portions.